My Fathers Chair

By Rudyard Kipling

Ballad
There are four good legs to my Father's Chair, Priests and People and Lords and Crown. I sits on all of 'em fair and square, And that is reason it don't break down. I won't trust one leg, nor two, nor three, To carry my weight when I sets me down. I wants all four of 'em under me, Priests and People and Lords and Crown. I sits on all four and favours none, Priests, nor People, nor Lords, nor Crown: And I never tilts in my chair, my son, And that is the reason it don't break down. When your time comes to sit in my Chair, Remember your Father's habits and rules, Sit on all four legs, fair and square, And never be tempted by one-legged stools!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem offers a profound commentary on power, governance, and stability through the allegory of a four-legged chair. The theme revolves around the simultaneous reliance and unbiased treatment of 'Priests and People and Lords and Crown,' symbolizing different pillars of society - religion, common people, nobility, and monarchy. The speaker's insistence on sitting on all four legs of the chair represents a balanced approach to governance, highlighting the necessity of considering all societal elements for stability.

The poem's tone is instructive and authoritative, creating an air of wisdom passed from father to son. The structure, with its repetitive refrains, reinforces the central message and allows for easy comprehension of the poem's theme. Among the literary devices, allegory and repetition stand out most prominently. The chair symbolizes leadership or power, and the four legs represent the four key components of a stable society. The constant repetition of 'Priests and People and Lords and Crown' underlines the equal importance of all these elements. The final stanza serves as a cautionary note to future leaders, emphasizing the importance of balanced governance and warning against the dangers of favoritism or partiality.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.