Lemurian City of Ladies

The Ballad of Herb Robert

Posted in City of Ladies Cafe Society by gailkav on August 9th, 2006

With his bobbing red head and his trim suit of green,
Herb Robert’s a dandy, the finest e’er seen.
For which Rob was he named, this knight of the hedgerow?
A monk or a Saint, or a stout Duke with short hose?

Nobody knows, but it doesn’t matter a ween,
For Herb Robert’s a dandy, the finest e’er seen.
He’s a friend and a helpmate to all those who serve
The Goddess of Healing and the magic of herbs.

The Geranium family spawned this wee bein’,
Herb Robert’s a dandy, the finest e’re seen.
But he wears no sweet perfume, no charming nosegay,
He smells like an ostler, of horses and hay.

For you’ll find him in places that are dark and mean,
Tho’ Herb Robert’s a dandy, the finest e’re seen.
In the stench of a battle, where limbs bleed and tear,
You’ll find handsome Robert, tending wounds there.

With his bobbing red head and his trim suit of green,
Herb Robert’s a dandy, the finest e’re seen.
But his heart’s with the wounded, the bleeding and torn,
He wraps them in comfort, and heals the forlorn.

5 Responses to 'The Ballad of Herb Robert'

Subscribe to comments with RSS

  1. faucon said, on August 9th, 2006 at 10:37 am

    I find these ‘ditties’ facinating as their use as a memory aid and instructional tool in yesteryear.

  2. Heather Blakey said, on August 9th, 2006 at 12:40 pm

    A delightful, spirited ballad Gail. I really enjoyed this.

  3. Lori said, on August 9th, 2006 at 8:52 pm

    I could almost hear the music, Gail. Is Herb Roberts a creation of yours? Or is there really a character from folklore/herblore with this name?

  4. traveller2006 said, on August 10th, 2006 at 8:23 am

    Gail, this is wonderful. Herb Robert is such a lovely plant and is worthy of this poem

  5. kvwordsmith said, on June 16th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    The rhythm in this is so delightful - I have always read these fairy poems with joy!

Leave a Reply