Analysis of A Birth-Night Song



The Child is rocked on Mary's knee,
Cold in the stall this bitter night,
And 'Lullalay-loo,' soft singeth she,
'My little Boy and Heaven's Delight!'
When singing stars went up the sky
The Prince of Peace oped a sweet eye.

His Highness now how small He lies!
He to be God and Very God!
A Jacob's ladder spans the skies
Whereof each rung is angel-trod,
And all their carols are of Peace,
Though the sick world hath little ease.

Come in, poor war-worn folk, and rest;
Kneel where the sinless creatures kneel;
The Babe snugged warm in Mother's breast,
He is your Wound-Wort, your All-Heal
Balsam for hurts that throb and smart,
Small Rose of Love on Mary's heart.

Shut close within His hand so small
The sick heart's medicine; not a sword.
Come in, come in, sad people all,
Here is your ancient peace restored!
'Lullalay-loo,' sings Mary mild,
Kissing her God, her Lamb, her Child.


Scheme ABABCC DEDEXX FGFGHH IJIJKK
Poetic Form
Metre 01111101 10011101 011111 110101001 11011101 01111011 11011111 11110101 01010101 1111101 01110111 10111101 10111101 1101101 01110101 11111111 10111101 11111101 11011111 011100101 10101101 11110101 111101 10010101
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 862
Words 162
Sentences 10
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 6, 6
Lines Amount 24
Letters per line (avg) 28
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 168
Words per stanza (avg) 39
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 14, 2023

49 sec read
102

Katharine Tynan

Katharine Tynan was an Irish-born writer, known mainly for her novels and poetry. more…

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