'The Ballad Of Casey's Billy-Goat' by Robert Service

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You've heard of "Casey at The Bat,"
And "Casey's Tabble Dote";
But now it's time
To write a rhyme
Of "Casey's Billy-goat."

Pat Casey had a billy-goat he gave the name of Shamus,
Because it was (the neighbours said) a national disgrace.
And sure enough that animal was eminently famous
For masticating every rag of laundry round the place.
For shirts to skirts prodigiously it proved its powers of chewing;
The question of digestion seemed to matter not at all;
But you'll agree, I think with me, its limit of misdoing
Was reached the day it swallowed Missis Rooney's ould red shawl.

Now Missis Annie Rooney was a winsome widow women,
And many a bouncing boy had sought to make her change her name;
And living just across the way 'twas surely only human
A lonesome man like Casey should be wishfully the same.
So every Sunday, shaved and shined, he'd make the fine occasion
To call upon the lady, and she'd take his and coat;
And supping tea it seemed that she might yield to his persuasion,
But alas! he hadn't counted on that devastating goat.

For Shamus loved his master with a deep and dumb devotion,
And everywhere that Casey went that goat would want to go;
And though I cannot analyze a quadruped's emotion,
They said the baste was jealous, and I reckon it was so.
For every time that Casey went to call on Missis Rooney,
Beside the gate the goat would wait with woefulness intense;
Until one day it chanced that they were fast becoming spooney,
When Shamus spied that ould red shawl a-flutter on the fence.

Now Missis Rooney loved that shawl beyond all rhyme or reason,
And maybe 'twas an heirloom or a cherished souvenir;
For judging by the way she wore it season after season,
I might have been as precious as a product of Cashmere.
So Shamus strolled towards it, and no doubt the colour pleased him,
For he biffed it and he sniffed it, as most any goat might do;
Then his melancholy vanished as a sense of hunger seized him,
And he wagged his tail with rapture as he started in to chew.

"Begorrah! you're a daisy," said the doting Mister Casey
to the blushing Widow Rooney as they parted at the door.
"Wid yer tinderness an' tazin' sure ye've set me heart a-blazin',
And I dread the day I'll nivver see me Anniw anny more."
"Go on now wid yer blarney," said the widow softly sighing;
And she went to pull his whiskers, when dismay her bosom smote. . . .
Her ould red shawl! 'Twas missin' where she'd left it bravely drying -
Then she saw it disappearing - down the neck of Casey's goat.

Fiercely flamed her Irish temper, "Look!" says she, "The thavin' divvle!
Sure he's made me shawl his supper. Well, I hope it's to his taste;
But excuse me, Mister Casey, if I seem to be oncivil,
For I'll nivver wed a man wid such a misbegotten baste."
So she slammed the door and left him in a state of consternation,
And he couldn't understand it, till he saw that grinning goat:
Then with eloquence he cussed it, and his final fulmination
Was a poem of profanity impossible to quote.

So blasting goats and petticoats and feeling downright sinful,
Despairfully he wandered in to Shinnigan's shebeen;
And straightway he proceeded to absorb a might skinful
Of the deadliest variety of Shinnigan's potheen.
And when he started homeward it was in the early morning,
But Shamus followed faithfully, a yard behind his back;
Then Casey slipped and stumbled, and without the slightest warning
like a lump of lead he tumbled - right across the railroad track.

And there he lay, serenely, and defied the powers to budge him,
Reposing like a baby, with his head upon the rail;
But Shamus seemed unhappy, and from time to time would nudge him,
Though his prods to protestation were without the least avail.
Then to that goatish mind, maybe, a sense of fell disaster
Came stealing like a spectre in the dim and dreary dawn;
For his bleat of warning blended with the snoring of his master
In a chorus of calamity - but Casey slumbered on.

Yet oh, that goat was troubled, for his efforts were redoubled;
Now he tugged at Casey's whisker, now he nibbled at his ear;
Now he shook him by the shoulder, and with fear become bolder,
He bellowed like a fog-horn, but the sleeper did not hear.
Then up and down the railway line he scampered for assistance;
But anxiously he hurried back and sought with tug and strain
To pull his master off the track . . . when sudden! in the distance
He heard the roar and rumble of the fast approaching train.

Did Shamus faint and falter? No, he stood there stark and splendid.
True, his tummy was distended, but he gave his horns a toss.
By them his goathood's honour would be gallantly defended,
And if their valour failed him - he would perish with his boss
So dauntlessly he lowered his head, and ever clearer, clearer,
He heard the throb and thunder of the Continental Mail.
He would face the mighty monster. It was coming nearer, nearer;
He would fight it, he would smite it, but he'd never show his tail.

Can you see that hirsute hero, standing there in tragic glory?
Can you hear the Pullman porters shrieking horror to the sky?
No, you can't; because my story has no end so grim and gory,
For Shamus did not perish and his master did not die.
At this very present moment Casey swaggers hale and hearty,
And Shamus strolls beside him with a bright bell at his throat;
While recent Missis Rooney is the gayest of the party,
For now she's Missis Casey and she's crazy for that goat.

You're wondering what happened? Well, you know that truth is stranger
Than the wildest brand of fiction, so Ill tell you without shame. . . .
There was Shamus and his master in the face of awful danger,
And the giant locomotive dashing down in smoke and flame. . . .
What power on earth could save them? Yet a golden inspiration
To gods and goats alike may come, so in that brutish brain
A thought was born - the ould red shawl. . . . Then rearing with elation,
Like lightning Shamus threw it up - AND FLAGGED AND STOPPED THE TRAIN.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

I must say, I am thrilled beyond words to have the opportunity to write about one of my all-time favorite poems, "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" by Robert Service. This poem is a true masterpiece of narrative poetry that tells a story full of humor, irony, and social commentary. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will take a closer look at the themes, symbols, language, and structure of the poem and explore how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

The Story

The story of "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is quite simple and straightforward, yet it is told in a way that makes it unforgettable. Casey, a hard-working farmer, has a billy-goat that he loves and cherishes more than anything else in the world. The goat, in turn, is a formidable creature that can win any battle and defeat any opponent. However, one day, Casey's billy-goat falls ill and dies, leaving Casey devastated and heartbroken. He decides to give his beloved goat a grand funeral and invites all his friends and neighbors to participate. But when the time comes to bury the goat, something unexpected happens, and the funeral turns into a chaotic and hilarious event.

The Themes

One of the main themes of "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is the bond between humans and animals. Casey's love for his billy-goat is so strong that he treats him like a member of his family and spends all his time and money taking care of him. The goat, on the other hand, is not just a pet but a source of pride and power for Casey. He sees his goat as a symbol of his own strength and masculinity, and he is willing to defend him against anyone who dares to insult or challenge him. The poem shows how this bond is tested when the goat dies, and how Casey struggles to come to terms with his loss.

Another important theme of the poem is the contrast between appearance and reality. On the surface, Casey's billy-goat seems like a harmless and docile animal, but in reality, he is a fierce and unstoppable warrior who can defeat even the strongest and bravest of men. This contrast is highlighted in the stanza that describes the goat's fight with a bear:

There was a rumble in the woods, and Casey's goat appeared,
With eyes of fire and jaws agape, and whiskers stiffly reared.
He stamped the ground with his cloven hoofs, and snorted through his nose,
And challenged all the forest with the fury that he shows.

Here, the goat's appearance is deceptive, and his true nature is revealed only when he is challenged. The poem suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and that we should be careful not to judge things or people based on their outward appearance.

The Symbols

"The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is full of symbols that add depth and meaning to the story. One of the most important symbols is the goat itself, which represents not only Casey's love and pride but also his masculinity and strength. The goat is a powerful and dominant creature that can defeat anyone who dares to challenge him. He is also a symbol of rural life and the values that come with it, such as hard work, self-sufficiency, and resilience.

Another important symbol in the poem is the funeral procession, which represents the community's response to Casey's loss. The fact that so many people come to pay their respects to a billy-goat shows how important animals were to rural communities in the past. It also highlights the sense of community and solidarity that existed in these communities and the role that animals played in bringing people together.

The Language

The language of "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is a perfect example of Robert Service's unique style. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward language that is easy to understand, yet it is full of vivid imagery, metaphors, and humor. Service's use of dialect and regional language adds authenticity to the poem and helps to create a sense of time and place.

The poem's use of repetition is also worth noting. The repeated lines "And Casey smiled in his soul content, and rubbed his old slouch hat" and "And the billy-goat went up and down, and scratched his shaggy back" create a sense of rhythm and continuity that ties the poem together. The repetition of the phrase "but Billy tackled him around the knees" also adds a humorous and ironic twist to the poem's climax.

The Structure

"The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is a ballad, which means that it follows a specific structure and form. The poem consists of eight stanzas, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated at the end of each stanza. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables.

The ballad form gives the poem a sense of tradition and continuity that reflects the rural culture and values that it portrays. The use of a refrain also adds a musical quality to the poem and makes it easier to remember and recite.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that tells a simple yet profound story of love, loss, and community. The poem's themes, symbols, language, and structure all contribute to its overall meaning and impact, creating a work of art that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Robert Service's unique style and voice make "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" a joy to read and a pleasure to listen to. The poem's humor, irony, and social commentary make it a valuable document of rural life and culture in the early 20th century, and a reminder of the enduring bond between humans and animals.

In short, "The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat" is a true classic that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat: A Classic Poem of Humor and Irony

Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, is known for his vivid and entertaining portrayals of life in the rugged and wild North. His poems are filled with colorful characters, dramatic events, and a keen sense of humor. One of his most famous works is The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat, a hilarious and ironic tale of a stubborn and mischievous animal that causes chaos and confusion in a small town. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, language, and historical context.

The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat tells the story of a man named Casey Jones, who owns a billy-goat that is notorious for its stubbornness and mischief. The goat, named Billy, is described as a "cussed critter" that "would butt the devil himself" and "would eat a tin can without turning a hair." Despite his unruly behavior, Billy is beloved by Casey, who sees him as a loyal and faithful companion. However, the townspeople do not share Casey's affection for the goat, and they are constantly annoyed and frustrated by his antics.

The poem begins with a description of the town and its inhabitants, who are portrayed as dull and boring. The people are "pious and prim" and "never a smile on their faces." They are contrasted with Casey and his goat, who are depicted as lively and adventurous. Casey is a "roving, rambling man" who "never would settle down," and Billy is a "devil-may-care" animal that "would roam the whole world over." The contrast between the two is emphasized by the refrain that runs throughout the poem: "But Billy wouldn't stay."

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, introducing the main characters and their personalities. The language is simple and direct, with a strong rhythm and rhyme scheme that creates a sense of momentum and energy. The use of colloquial expressions and slang adds to the humor and authenticity of the poem, making it feel like a story that could be told around a campfire.

The second stanza introduces the conflict of the poem, as Billy begins to cause trouble in the town. He eats the flowers in the churchyard, butts the schoolteacher, and chases the chickens. The townspeople are outraged and demand that Casey do something about his goat. However, Casey defends Billy and refuses to restrain him, saying that "he's got a right to rove." This sets up the central irony of the poem, as Casey's love for his goat leads to chaos and disruption in the town.

The third stanza describes the escalating conflict between Casey and the townspeople. They try to catch Billy and tie him up, but he always manages to escape. They even hire a "buckaroo" to catch him, but he is no match for Billy's cunning and agility. The language in this stanza becomes more intense and dramatic, with vivid descriptions of the chase and the struggle between man and beast.

The fourth stanza introduces a new character, a "slicker" from the city who comes to town and offers to buy Billy for a large sum of money. Casey is tempted by the offer, but ultimately decides to keep his goat, saying that "money can't buy a friend." This reinforces the theme of loyalty and friendship that runs throughout the poem, as Casey values his relationship with Billy more than material wealth or social approval.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a climax, as Billy causes a riot in the town. He butts the mayor, knocks over the fire chief, and even attacks the sheriff. The townspeople are in a panic, and Casey is forced to intervene. He manages to calm Billy down and lead him out of town, but not before the goat has caused significant damage and disruption. The poem ends with the refrain, "But Billy wouldn't stay," emphasizing the futility of trying to control or contain the wild and unpredictable forces of nature.

The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat is a classic example of Service's unique style and voice. It combines humor, irony, and pathos in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The poem can be read as a commentary on the tension between individual freedom and social order, as well as a celebration of the wild and untamed spirit of the North. It also reflects the historical context of the Yukon during the Gold Rush era, when the region was undergoing rapid social and economic change.

In conclusion, The Ballad of Casey's Billy-Goat is a masterpiece of Canadian literature that continues to captivate and delight readers of all ages. Its vivid characters, lively language, and ironic humor make it a timeless classic that speaks to the human experience in a universal way. Whether read as a simple tale of a man and his goat, or as a complex allegory of human nature, the poem remains a testament to the power of poetry to entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

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