Of ballads and shanties, alive alive-o

One of my co-workers has a son who has recently started work as an oven boy.

For some reason, the term "oven boy" reminded me so much of "cabin boy" that I felt compelled to write a sea-shanty about bakeries.

It didn't work. For some reason I came up with a ballad while trying to write a shanty.

I think I've just read way too much Australian poetry and Scottish and Irish folk songs. My brain is too predisposed to ballads (well, I did win an award for one when I was a teenager).

I'll have to have a think about it and try again later.