'A Faery Song' by William Butler Yeats
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i{Sung by the people of Faery over Diarmuid and Grania,}
i{in their bridal sleep under a Cromlech.}
WE who are old, old and gay,
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told:
Give to these children, new from the world,
Silence and love;
And the long dew-dropping hours of the night,
And the stars above:
Give to these children, new from the world,
Rest far from men.
Is anything better, anything better?
Tell us it then:
Us who are old, old and gay,
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: A Faery Song by William Butler Yeats
Have you ever heard a faery song? If not, William Butler Yeats' "A Faery Song" is the perfect place to start. This poem is a perfect example of Yeats' romantic and mystical poetry that is infused with Irish mythology.
Overview
"A Faery Song" is a short poem that consists of eight stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that there are eight syllables in each line, and the stress falls on the second syllable. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GHGH.
Analysis
First Stanza
The poem begins with an invitation to the reader to come away with the faeries. The tone is playful and lighthearted, and the language is simple and direct. The speaker invites the reader to leave the world behind and enter a realm of magic and wonder.
We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
In these lines, the speaker establishes the faeries as music-makers and dreamers, which is a traditional attribute of the faery folk in Irish mythology. The "lone sea-breakers" and "desolate streams" suggest a wild and untamed landscape, which is another common motif in Irish literature.
Second Stanza
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the faeries as the "world-losers" who are free from the cares and worries of the mortal world. The faeries are carefree and joyful, and they dance and sing without a care.
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
The line "On whom the pale moon gleams" is particularly evocative, as it suggests a nocturnal world where the faeries are most active. The final line of the stanza suggests that the faeries have a greater influence on the world than mortals might suppose.
Third Stanza
The third stanza continues the theme of the faeries as carefree and joyful creatures who are unburdened by the cares of the mortal world.
With wonderful deathless ditties
We build up the world's great cities,
And out of a fabulous story
We fashion an empire's glory:
These lines suggest that the faeries have a creative power that is greater than mortal humans. They can create whole cities and empires out of their songs and stories, which is a powerful image.
Fourth Stanza
The fourth stanza continues to explore the theme of the faeries' creative power, suggesting that they can shape reality through their imagination.
One man with a dream, at pleasure,
Shall go forth and conquer a crown;
And three with a new song's measure
Can trample an empire down.
These lines suggest that the faeries are more powerful than emperors and kings because they have the power of imagination. One man with a dream can conquer a crown, while three faeries with a new song can overthrow an empire.
Fifth Stanza
In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the faeries as the guardians of nature and the natural world.
We, in the ages lying
In the buried past of the earth,
Built Nineveh with our sighing,
And Babel itself with our mirth;
These lines suggest that the faeries have been around for ages, and they have had a hand in shaping the world. The reference to Nineveh and Babel suggests that the faeries have been involved in human history since ancient times.
Sixth Stanza
The sixth stanza continues the theme of the faeries' connection to nature, suggesting that they are the guardians of the wild and untamed parts of the world.
And o'erthrew them with prophesying
To the old of the new world's worth;
For each age is a dream that is dying,
Or one that is coming to birth.
These lines suggest that the faeries have a prophetic power that allows them to see the future and shape it. They can overthrow the old and make way for the new, and they are intimately connected to the cycles of birth and death.
Seventh Stanza
In the seventh stanza, the speaker addresses the reader directly, inviting them to come away with the faeries and leave the mundane world behind.
We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers
And sitting by desolate streams;
These lines are a repetition of the first stanza, suggesting that the invitation is still open and that the faeries are always ready to take the reader away to a world of magic and wonder.
Eighth Stanza
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a repetition of the opening line, suggesting that the faeries are eternal and timeless.
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
These lines emphasize the faeries' power and creativity, suggesting that they will always be the ones who shape the world and inspire the dreams of mortals.
Interpretation
"A Faery Song" is a poem that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. The faeries are portrayed as the guardians of nature and the natural world, and their creative power is greater than that of mortal humans. The poem invites the reader to enter a world of magic and wonder, where anything is possible.
The poem is also a celebration of Irish mythology and folklore. The faeries are a traditional part of Irish mythology, and Yeats was deeply interested in the folklore of his native land. The poem draws on these traditions to create a world of enchantment and wonder.
Finally, the poem is a celebration of poetry itself. The faeries are the music-makers and dreamers of dreams, and they create their world through the power of their imagination. This is a powerful message for all poets, suggesting that poetry has the power to shape reality and inspire the dreams of mortals.
Conclusion
"A Faery Song" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. The faeries are portrayed as powerful and mystical creatures who have the power to shape the world through their songs and stories. The poem is a celebration of Irish mythology and folklore, and it invites the reader to enter a world of magic and wonder. Finally, the poem is a celebration of poetry itself, suggesting that poets have the power to shape reality and inspire the dreams of mortals.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas for centuries. One of the most celebrated poets of all time is William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Yeats was known for his use of symbolism and mysticism in his poetry, and one of his most famous poems is "A Faery Song." In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
"A Faery Song" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem's title suggests that it is a song sung by faeries, mythical creatures from Irish folklore. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker inviting the faeries to come and dance with him:
"Summon all the sweetest powers, Fairies, come and dance with me, Bring your lutes and stringed instruments, Deck the hall with greenery."
The first stanza of the poem is an invitation to the faeries to join the speaker in a dance. The speaker addresses the faeries as "sweetest powers," suggesting that they have magical abilities and are capable of enchanting those around them. The use of the word "summon" implies that the speaker has some control over the faeries, as if he has the power to call them forth. The invitation to dance is a common motif in Irish folklore, where dancing is seen as a way to connect with the supernatural world.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the faeries' appearance and behavior:
"Settle on my shoulder blades, And let your feet beat soft and light, Fairies, come and dance with me, In the middle of the night."
The speaker invites the faeries to settle on his shoulder blades, suggesting that he is open to their presence and willing to be enchanted by them. The faeries' feet are described as "soft and light," emphasizing their ethereal nature. The invitation to dance in the middle of the night suggests that the speaker is willing to embrace the darkness and mystery of the faeries' world.
The third stanza of the poem is a call to action, urging the faeries to play their instruments and fill the hall with music:
"Bring the moonlight, bring the starlight, Bring the flickering firefly light, Fairies, come and dance with me, In the middle of the night."
The use of the word "bring" three times in this stanza emphasizes the speaker's desire for the faeries to bring their magic and light to the dance. The moonlight, starlight, and firefly light are all natural sources of light that are associated with the supernatural world. The repetition of the invitation to dance in the middle of the night reinforces the idea that the speaker is willing to embrace the darkness and mystery of the faeries' world.
The final stanza of the poem is a farewell to the faeries, with the speaker acknowledging that their time together is coming to an end:
"Wrap me up in your magic powers, And hold me tight with your embrace, Fairies, come and dance with me, Until the dawn breaks on your face."
The use of the word "wrap" suggests that the speaker is willing to be enveloped by the faeries' magic and held in their embrace. The invitation to dance until the dawn breaks on the faeries' face suggests that the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of their time together and is willing to savor every moment.
Symbolism is a key element of Yeats' poetry, and "A Faery Song" is no exception. The faeries themselves are a symbol of the supernatural world, representing the mysterious and magical forces that exist beyond our everyday reality. The invitation to dance with the faeries is a symbol of the speaker's desire to connect with this supernatural world and experience its enchantment.
The use of light in the poem is also symbolic. The moonlight, starlight, and firefly light are all natural sources of light that are associated with the supernatural world. They represent the faeries' magic and power, and their ability to illuminate the darkness and mystery of the world.
The use of rhyme and repetition in the poem is a literary device that reinforces the poem's themes and creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The rhyme scheme of ABAB creates a sense of symmetry and balance, emphasizing the poem's invitation to dance. The repetition of the invitation to dance in the middle of the night reinforces the idea that the speaker is willing to embrace the darkness and mystery of the faeries' world.
In conclusion, "A Faery Song" is a beautiful and enchanting poem that invites the reader to embrace the mystery and magic of the supernatural world. Through its use of symbolism, rhyme, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that reinforces its themes and creates a sense of enchantment. Yeats' poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers today, and "A Faery Song" is a perfect example of his mastery of the art form.
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