The Song of Luddy-Dud
The poem tells the story of a young boy who dies after being punished for stealing apples from an orchard. The narrator reflects on the boy's fate and how it serves as a warning to other children.
By Eugene Field · First published 1896 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Lyrical Poetry, Family Literature · 274 words
First lines
A sunbeam comes a-creeping Into my dear one's nest, And sings to our babe a-sleeping The song that I love the best: "T is little Luddy-Dud in the morning -- 'T is little Luddy-Dud at night; And all day long 'T is the same sweet song Of that waddling, toddling, coddling little mite, Luddy-Dud."
The bird to the tossing clover, The bee to the swaying bud, Keep singing that sweet song over Of wee little Luddy-Dud. "T is little Luddy-Dud in the morning -- 'T is little Luddy-Dud at night; And all day long 'T is the same dear song Of that growing, crowing, knowing little sprite, Luddy-Dud."
What this Textopian page supports
The Song of Luddy-Dud is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Lyrical Poetry, Family Literature, Nature Poetry, Nostalgic Literature
- Length: 274 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Song of Luddy-Dud by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Song of Luddy-Dud?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The work is a poem that focuses on a child's experiences and emotions, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Lyrical Poetry — The poem employs a musical quality and rhythm, characteristic of lyrical poetry, emphasizing the beauty of language and sound.
- Family Literature — The themes revolve around familial love and the bond between a parent and child, central to family-oriented literature.
- Nature Poetry — The poem incorporates elements of nature, such as sunbeams and bees, reflecting a connection to the natural world.
Tags
Nostalgic · Whimsical · Humorous · Poetic · Rhythmic · Imaginative · Fantastical · Playful · Lyrical · Storytelling · Fanciful · Dreamlike