The Wet Litany

By Rudyard Kipling

Ballad
When the waters' countenance Blurs 'twixt glance and second glance; When our tattered smokes forerun Ashen 'neath a silvered sun; When the curtain of the haze Shuts upon our helpless ways, Hear the Channel Fleet at sea: Libera nos Domine! When the engines' bated pulse Scarcely thrills the nosing hulls; When the wash along the side Sounds, a-sudden, magnified; When the intolerable blast Marks each blindfold minute passed; When the fog-buoy's squattering flight Guides us 'through the haggard night; When the warning bugle blows; When the lettered doorway's close; When our brittle townships press, Impotent, on emptiness; When the unseen leadsmen lean Questioning a deep unseen; When their lessened count they tell To a bridge invisible; When the hid and perilous Cliffs return our cry to us; When the treble thickness spread Swallows up our next-ahead; When her sirens frightened whine Shows her sheering out of line; When, her passage undiscerned, We must turn where she has turned, Hear the Channel Fleet at sea: Libera nos Domine!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a vivid maritime landscape, using natural elements as metaphors for the human condition, particularly the themes of uncertainty and the quest for salvation. The recurring phrase "Libera nos Domine!" - Latin for "Deliver us, Lord!" - suggests a prayer for deliverance from the trials of life, which are symbolized by the foggy, uncertain seascape where the "tattered smokes" run "ashen 'neath a silvered sun" and the "curtain of the haze" obscures the way forward.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm, creates a sense of relentless forward movement, like a ship braving the sea, despite the obscured visibility and perilous conditions. This complements the theme of persistence in the face of adversity. The poet employs a variety of literary devices such as personification, with the "engines' bated pulse" and the "warning bugle blows," and vivid imagery, like the "fog-buoy's squattering flight" and the "unseen leadsmen lean questioning a deep unseen." These elements serve to intensify the sense of danger and uncertainty, while underscoring the human struggle for survival and deliverance.

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.