Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ABBA-LABBA-LA by DAVID STEFANSSON

First Line: HER NAME WAS ABBA-LABBA-LA
Last Line: "OF ABBA-LABBA-LA!"
I

HER name was Abba-labba-la,
She was dark of cheek and brow,
And her cabin in the wood
'Neath the green-grown branches stood;
With faith in stocks and stones indued
Was Abba-labba-la.

II

And no one knew from what place
She came into this wood;
And none knew for what reason
She played in madcap mood;
And why she struck and bit -- that
No mortal understood.

III

Her name was Abba-labba-la,
She was dark of cheek and brow,
And all who sought to win her
She maddened -- none knew how.
By the blood of wild beasts,
By the blood of wild beasts,
Lived Abba-labba-la.

IV

. . . At one time beheld I
Abba-labba-la.
She danced within the forest,
Dark of cheek and brow.
Loudly her I hailed then --
My heart was touched, I trow --
"Abba-labba,
Abba-labba,
Abba-labba-la!"

V

She kissed me and laughed when
She'd come to my side,
Then bit me and sucked all
My blood -- so I died.

VI

O'er sea and land now shout I,
A specter from the howe:
"Beware, poor mortals,
Beware, poor mortals,
Of Abba-labba-la!"



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