A Patter Song by Ambrose Bierce
"A Patter Song" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1890. The story follows a man named John who has been hired to play his violin at a funeral. As he plays, he notices that the mourners are not paying attention to him and are instead engaged in their own private thoughts and conversations. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and the fleeting nature of human attention.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Satire · 256 words
First lines
There was a cranky Governor -- / His name it wasn't Waterman.
For office he was hotter than / The love of any lover, nor / Was Boruck's threat of aiding him / Effective in dissuading him -- / This pig-headed, big-headed, singularly self-conceited Governor Nonwaterman.
To citrus fairs, "et cetera", / He went about philandering, / To pride of parish pandering.
He knew not any better -- ah, / His early education had / Not taught the abnegation fad -- / The wool-witted, bull-witted, fabulously feeble-minded king of gabble-gandering!
What this Textopian page supports
A Patter Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Satire
- Length: 256 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Patter Song by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- A Possibility by Ambrose Bierce
- A Transposition by Ambrose Bierce
- A Word To The Unwise by Ambrose Bierce
- An Interpretation by Ambrose Bierce
- Six And One by Ambrose Bierce
- The Cuckoo by Basil Hall Chamberlain
Genres
- Poetry — A Patter Song is categorized as a poem due to its poetic form and rhythmic structure. The term 'patter song' itself refers to a fast-tempo song that is part of comic opera, full of wordplays and puns, which emphasizes the lyrical aspect of the work.
- Humor — Ambrose Bierce is known for his humor and satire writing, and this is also evident in A Patter Song. Bierce's use of language and word play in this poem creates a light, comical tone.
- Satire — Bierce's A Patter Song, like much of his work, includes elements of satire. He uses wit, irony, and sarcasm to criticize or mock societal behaviors and norms.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural · mystery · horror · psychological thriller · literary fiction · symbolism · allegory · folklore · mythology · fable · parable