The Butcher
The Butcher - meaning Summary
Sacrifice and Pleading Voice
The poem stages a tense, ambiguous encounter between a speaker and a butcher figure that mixes religious imagery, violence, and intimacy. Themes include sacrifice, paternal address, dependence and self-destruction (suggested by the needle), and moral uncertainty. Repeated appeals and circular statements create a sense of entrapment and cold vulnerability. The closing plea collapses authority and filial roles, leaving responsibility, guilt, and care unresolved.
Read Complete AnalysesI came upon a butcher He was slaughtering a lamb I accused him there With his tortured lamb He said, "Listen to me, child I am what I am And you, you are my only son." Well, I found a silver needle I put it into my arm It did some good Did some harm But the nights were cold And it almost kept me warm How come the night is long? I saw some flowers growing up Where that lamb fell down Was I supposed to praise my Lord Make some kind of joyful sound? He said, "Listen, listen to me now I go round and round And you, you are my only child." Do not leave me now Do not leave me now I'm broken down From a recent fall Blood upon my body And ice upon my soul Lead on, my son, is your world
Feel free to be first to leave comment.