'Song (She Sat And Sang Alway)' by Christina Rossetti


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She sat and sang alway
By the green margin of a stream,
Watching the fishes leap and play
Beneath the glad sunbeam.

I sat and wept alway
Beneath the moon's most shadowy beam,
Watching the blossoms of the May
Weep leaves into the stream.

I wept for memory;
She sang for hope that is so fair:
My tears were swallowed by the sea;
Her songs died on the air.



Submitted by Jason Clapham

Editor 1 Interpretation

Song (She Sat And Sang Alway) by Christina Rossetti

There is something about Christina Rossetti's poetry that makes it impossible to ignore. Her words have a way of capturing the reader's attention and emotions, leaving a lasting impression on their mind. In her classic poem, "Song (She Sat And Sang Alway)", Rossetti touches upon themes of love, loss, and the power of music.

Summary of the Poem

The poem is told from the perspective of an observer who recounts the story of a woman who sat and sang continuously. The woman's singing was so beautiful that it captivated those around her, and they could not help but listen. The narrator describes the woman's voice as "sweet" and "clear," and her song as "melodious."

Despite singing without pause, the woman never seemed to tire. Her singing continued day and night, and she seemed to be lost in her own world. The narrator describes her as "wrapped in sweet security," as if nothing could disturb her.

The woman's constant singing drew the attention of many suitors, all of whom were captivated by her beauty and talent. However, the woman remained uninterested in their advances, continuing to sing and ignoring their pleas for her attention.

Eventually, the woman's singing came to an end. The narrator describes how the woman's voice grew weaker and weaker until it faded away completely. The woman died soon after, and the narrator laments the loss of her beautiful voice.

Analysis of the Poem

At its core, "Song (She Sat And Sang Alway)" is a poem about the power of music. The woman's singing is described as so beautiful that it captivates all who hear it. Her voice is described as "sweet" and "clear," and her song as "melodious." The fact that she sings continuously without tiring suggests that she is deeply connected to her music.

Furthermore, the woman's singing seems to provide her with a sense of security and comfort. The narrator describes her as "wrapped in sweet security," suggesting that her music is a source of comfort and refuge for her. This idea is further reinforced by the fact that the woman ignores the advances of her suitors, suggesting that her music is more important to her than any romantic relationships.

The poem also touches upon the themes of love and loss. The woman's suitors are all captivated by her beauty and talent, but she remains uninterested in their advances. This suggests that she has experienced loss in the past and is not interested in opening herself up to the possibility of more heartbreak.

The ending of the poem is particularly poignant. The woman's singing gradually grows weaker until it fades away completely, representing her eventual death. The narrator laments the loss of her beautiful voice, suggesting that the woman's music was an important part of her identity and that her death represents a great loss to the world.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on society's expectations of women. The fact that the woman's suitors are all male suggests that they are only interested in her beauty and talent, rather than her as a person. The fact that the woman ignores their advances suggests that she is not interested in conforming to societal expectations of women as objects of desire. Instead, she is content to focus on her music and find comfort in it, even if it means rejecting the advances of others.

Conclusion

"Song (She Sat And Sang Alway)" is a beautiful and moving poem that touches upon themes of love, loss, and the power of music. Through the story of the woman who sings continuously, Rossetti explores the idea that music can provide comfort and refuge in times of hardship. The poem also comments on society's expectations of women, suggesting that women should be valued for more than just their beauty and talent. Overall, "Song (She Sat And Sang Alway)" is a powerful and thought-provoking work from one of the most talented poets of the 19th century.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Song (She Sat And Sang Alway) by Christina Rossetti is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker describing a woman who sits and sings all day long. The second stanza introduces the theme of love, with the speaker describing the woman's lover who has gone away. The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the woman's unwavering love and devotion.

One of the key themes in the poem is the idea of unrequited love. The woman in the poem is singing and waiting for her lover to return, but he is nowhere to be found. This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "she sat and sang alway" throughout the poem. The use of the word "alway" suggests that the woman's love is constant and unchanging, even in the face of disappointment and heartbreak.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of longing. The woman's love for her absent lover is so strong that she cannot help but sing and wait for him to return. This is evident in the lines "She sang, 'My heart is sore distressed, / O come to me, my love, at last!'" The use of the word "distressed" suggests that the woman is in pain and suffering because of her longing for her lover.

The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The woman is described as sitting and singing, which creates a sense of stillness and calmness. This is contrasted with the idea of her heart being "sore distressed," which creates a sense of turmoil and unrest. The use of the word "sore" suggests that the woman's pain is intense and overwhelming.

The imagery of the woman's lover being absent is also significant. The speaker describes him as being "far away," which creates a sense of distance and separation. This is reinforced by the line "And yet she sings, 'I am alone, / For my love is far away.'" The use of the word "alone" suggests that the woman is isolated and lonely because of her lover's absence.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also very powerful. The repetition of the phrase "she sat and sang alway" creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the poem. The use of the word "alway" also reinforces the idea of the woman's constant and unchanging love.

The use of the word "distressed" to describe the woman's heart creates a sense of emotional intensity and depth. The use of the word "sore" reinforces this idea and suggests that the woman's pain is physical as well as emotional.

The use of the word "far away" to describe the woman's lover creates a sense of distance and separation. This is reinforced by the line "And yet she sings, 'I am alone, / For my love is far away.'" The use of the word "alone" suggests that the woman is isolated and lonely because of her lover's absence.

In conclusion, Song (She Sat And Sang Alway) by Christina Rossetti is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. The themes of unrequited love and longing are reinforced by the imagery and language used in the poem. The repetition of the phrase "she sat and sang alway" creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, while the use of the word "distressed" and "sore" creates a sense of emotional intensity and depth. The use of the word "far away" and "alone" reinforces the idea of distance and separation. Overall, this poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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