The Ballad of Mccarty's Trombone
A young man inherits a trombone from his uncle and becomes obsessed with playing it perfectly. He practices tirelessly but struggles to master the instrument. His obsession leads him down a path of self-discovery and ultimately, redemption.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Folk, Humor · 567 words
First lines
Sure, Felix McCarty he lived all alone On the top av a hill be the town av Athione, And the pride av his heart was a batthered trombone, That he played in an iligant style av his own. And often I've heard me ould grandfather say, That, long as he lived, on Saint Patherick's Day, the minute the dawn showed the first streak av gray McCarty would rise and this tune he would play:
What this Textopian page supports
The Ballad of Mccarty's Trombone is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joseph C. Lincoln, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joseph C. Lincoln
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Folk, Humor, Historical, Narrative
- Length: 567 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ballad of Mccarty's Trombone by Joseph C. Lincoln
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Ballad of Mccarty's Trombone?
- How does this poem by Joseph C. Lincoln fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Cuckoo Clock by Joseph C. Lincoln
- The Fift Ward Jint Debate by Joseph C. Lincoln
- The Mark On The Door by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Novembers Come by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Kent Knowles Quahaug by Joseph C. Lincoln
- The Tin Peddler by Joseph C. Lincoln
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and rhythm, characteristic of poetry.
- Folk — The themes and style reflect folk traditions, particularly in the portrayal of cultural elements and storytelling.
- Humor — The light-hearted tone and whimsical elements contribute to a humorous narrative.
- Historical — The setting and references to cultural practices provide a historical context.
Tags
American Literature · Fiction · Novel · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Small Town Life · New England Setting · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Music · Trombone