208 Results in the "Poetry" category


    • Ballad: The wind blows towards the lee, Willow! But though I sigh and sob and cry, No Lady Jane for me, Willow! Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad from "The Bab Ballads," the sorrowful tale of young Joe, a sailor under the command of Captain Joyce, unfolds with a melancholy tune. Joe laments his unrequited love for Lady Jane, believing his lowly status as a sailor to be the barrier between them. Captain Joyce, frustrated with Joe's constant mourning and banjo-playing, wishes Joe had chosen a different path, perhaps less musical and more befitting a sailor. Despite Captain Joyce's harsh methods of discipline, including a sentence of…
    • Ballad: The Troubadour Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Troubadour" from *The Bab Ballads*, a narrative unfolds outside a castle, where a dedicated troubadour plays his music. Within the castle's dismal dungeon, a maiden, trapped and despairing, hears his songs and responds, her heart heavy with sorrow. Despite not knowing her face or name, the troubadour vows not to rest until she is freed, motivated simply by her sad plight. Encouraged by his resolve, the maiden halts her tears and wails, singing gratefully in response to his…
    • Ballad: The Three Kings Of Chickeraboo Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad titled "The Three Kings of Chickeraboo" from "The Bab Ballads," we are transported to the imaginary land of Chickeraboo, where reside three individuals—PACIFICO, BANG-BANG, and POPCHOP. On a particularly sweltering day, they whimsically decide to declare themselves kings, albeit in a modest manner. PACIFICO is adept at playing the "bones," BANG-BANG excels in banjo music, and POPCHOP is known for his remarkable "flap" dance moves. United by a clever scheme, they decide to…
    • Ballad: The Story Of Prince Agib Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Story of Prince Agib," the tale unfolds with a vibrant invocation to musical instruments, setting the stage for a narrative about Agib, the Prince of Tartary. Agib, depicted as a musically gifted youth, indulges in composing ballet music and playing a variety of instruments, showcasing his artistic versatility. His life takes an unexpected turn during a harsh winter when two starving Tartar minstrels, referred to as the "Ouaits," arrive at his gates. Moved by their plight, Agib welcomes them…
    • Ballad: The Sensation Captain Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Sensation Captain," a ballad from "The Bab Ballads," tells the quirky tale of Captain Parklebury Todd, a Navy officer renowned for his bravery, wisdom, and a peculiar love for creating sensations and surprises. Unlike the typical valorous traits of noble captains, Todd's unique folly lies in his penchant for startling others, especially with unexpected 'booms' and disguises, driven by an innocent fascination with mystique and the element of surprise. Todd's life, dominated by this singular obsession,…
    • Ballad: The Rival Curates Cover
      by LovelyMay Be sure of provocation: Wait till he calls you 'snob,' Or something else as naughty - Then you can do the job, And welcome back to Spiffton!" Thus on his foes he set His minions most observant, 'Twas a most curious bet, Yet, made in all good fervent. But when they reached the spot, They found, instead of strife, A scene that spoke of what's More beautiful in life. HOPLEY, with flute in hand, Played melodies enticing; Around him, o'er the land, Creatures their joy voicing. His curate's garb aside, He wore…
    • Ballad: The Reverend Micah Sowls Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bab Ballads," the ballad titled "The Reverend Micah Sowls" presents a comedic and critical look at the hypocrisy often associated with moralizing figures of authority, specifically targeting the clergy. The poem begins with an energetic and almost aggressive description of the Reverend Micah Sowls, a clergyman who passionately condemns the stage (theatre) as a domain of evil and immorality, urging his congregation to avoid it at all costs. His fervor is heightened by the presence of his bishop in…
    • Ballad: The Phantom Curate.  A Fable Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Phantom Curate. A Fable," we are introduced to a bishop, albeit without revealing the location of his diocese, who significantly burdens his clergy with conventional expectations, rigorously limiting their freedoms and scrutinizing their actions for any hint of unintentional sin. Despite his upright intentions and dedication to setting examples, his strict approach towards ensuring his priests avoid even harmless pleasures underlines his adherence to maintaining appearances rather than fostering…
    • Ballad: The Periwinkle Girl Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical "Ballad: The Periwinkle Girl" from *The Bab Ballads*, the narrator playfully critiques the rush to judgment and the follies of youth through a tale that intertwines love, status, and the humble winkle. The protagonist starts by reflecting on his youthful disdain for winkles, based on the notion that they offer none of the pleasures of flirting, dancing, or smoking. This perspective shifts dramatically upon the introduction of Mary, a charming seller of winkles whose beauty and allure make…
    • Ballad: The Ghost, The Gallant, The Gael, And The Goblin Cover
      by LovelyMay In the suburban outskirts, where the land was yet untamed, an unlikely duo wandered: an elderly ghost, embodying the essence of a bygone era, and an influential goblin, bursting with the vigor of youth and mischief. Their spectral and fantastical nature set them apart, one echoing the grandeur of tragic tales, the other a figure straight from a comedy's liveliest scenes. Amidst their stroll, aimed at aiding digestion with light exercise, they stumbled upon a debate that would stir the tranquil air: which…
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