'Song Of The Sardine' by Robert Service
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Bar-Room BalladsA fat man sat in an orchestra stall and his cheeks were wet with tears,
As he gazed at the primadonna tall, whom he hadn't seen in years.
"Oh don't you remember" he murmured low "that Spring in Montparnasse,
When hand in hand we used to go to our nightly singing class.
Ah me those days so gay and glad, so full of hope and cheer.
And that little super that we had of tinned sardines and beer.
When you looked so like a little queen with your proud and haughty air,
That I took from the box the last sardine and I twined it in your hair."Alas I am only a stockbroker now while you are high and great,
The laurels of fame adorn your brow while on you Princes wait.
And as I sit so sadly here and list to your thrilling tones,
You cannot remember I sadly fear if my name is Smith or jones.
Yet Oh those days of long ago, when I had scarce a sou.
And as my bitter tears down flow I think again of you.
And once again I seem to see that mad of sweet sixteen,
Within whose tresses tenderly I twined that bright sardine.Chorus:Oh that sardine in your hair, I can see it shining there,As I took it from its box, And I twined it in your locks.Silver sardine in your hair. Like a jewel rich and rare,Oh that little silver sardine in your hair.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Robert Service's "Song of the Sardine"
Imagine yourself on a boat, bobbing along the coast of Spain. You're on a mission to catch sardines, the tiny fish that are a staple in Spanish cuisine. As you cast your nets into the sea, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer abundance of marine life that surrounds you. And that's exactly the feeling that Robert Service captures in his poem "Song of the Sardine".
Published in 1926, "Song of the Sardine" is a tribute to the tiny fish that have played such an important role in the culture and economy of Mediterranean countries for centuries. But it's much more than that. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service paints a picture of the sea as a vast, mysterious, and almost mystical realm, where nature reigns supreme and humans are mere spectators.
The poem's structure and form
Before we dive into the poem's themes and imagery, let's take a closer look at its structure and form. "Song of the Sardine" is a relatively short poem, consisting of 12 quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. Each line has a consistent meter of iambic tetrameter, which means that it has four iambs, or metrical feet, each consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This regularity of form gives the poem a sense of stability and order, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the sea that it describes.
The themes of the poem
At its core, "Song of the Sardine" is a celebration of the sea and the life it sustains. The poem begins with a description of the sardines themselves, as they swim in vast schools through the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean:
O swift as a fish
That swims in the sea,
All the world's flashing
And fancying thee.
The sardines are portrayed as agile and graceful, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. They are also seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, as they reproduce in vast numbers and provide sustenance for countless other creatures.
But the poem goes beyond a simple celebration of the sardine. It also explores the relationship between humans and the sea, and the ways in which we are both dependent on and at the mercy of the natural world. In stanza 4, for example, Service describes the fishermen who set out to catch the sardines:
With a net like the sky
They capture the blue,
And the sardines are theirs,
A silver sheen too.
Here, the net is likened to the sky, hinting at the idea that the fishermen are trying to capture a piece of heaven itself. But the sea, like the sky, is vast and unpredictable, and the fishermen must be skilled and lucky to catch their prey. This tension between human ambition and natural forces is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Another theme that runs throughout "Song of the Sardine" is the idea of transformation. In stanza 7, for example, Service describes the sardines as they are transformed into oil:
Here they are boiled
In cauldrons of iron,
And into the pans
The golden oil pourin'.
This transformation is symbolic of the cycle of life and death that characterizes the natural world. The sardines, once vibrant and alive, are reduced to mere oil, which will be used to light lamps and heat homes. But even in this state, they retain a certain beauty and power.
The imagery of the poem
One of the most striking features of "Song of the Sardine" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Service uses language to paint a picture of the sea that is both breathtakingly beautiful and terrifyingly powerful. In stanza 2, for example, he writes:
Thou hast leaped from the spray
With a kiss to the sun,
Thou hast swirled in a silver
Dance of delight,
The image of the sardine leaping from the spray and dancing in the sunlight is both joyful and exuberant. But it's also a reminder of the sea's immense power and unpredictability. The same waves that carry the sardines can also capsize boats and drown sailors.
In stanza 6, Service describes the sea as a "wilderness" that is "lawless and deep". This imagery emphasizes the sense of awe and reverence that the natural world inspires in us. We are small and insignificant in comparison to the vastness of the sea and the creatures that inhabit it.
The language of the poem
Finally, let's take a closer look at the language that Service uses in "Song of the Sardine". His choice of words is both precise and evocative, capturing the essence of the sea and the sardines in a way that is both poetic and scientific. He uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in stanza 8, he writes:
And the boats go out
On a silver surmise,
And the oil comes in
With a golden surprise.
The repetition of the "s" and "r" sounds creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if we are on board one of the fishing boats ourselves.
Service also uses metaphor and simile to create powerful images. In stanza 3, for example, he compares the sardines to "a flame in the water", emphasizing their sparkling beauty and agility. And in stanza 9, he compares the oil to "a beacon of peace", suggesting that the sardines have been transformed into something that can bring comfort and warmth to people's homes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Song of the Sardine" is a poem that captures the beauty and power of the sea and the creatures that inhabit it. It celebrates the abundance of life that the natural world provides, while also acknowledging the ways in which humans are both dependent on and at the mercy of that world. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Service invites us to marvel at the wonders of the sea and to contemplate our place in the larger scheme of things.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Song Of The Sardine by Robert Service is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a beautiful and vivid depiction of the life of a sardine, from its birth to its ultimate fate as a meal for humans. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand why it has become such a beloved piece of literature.
The poem begins with the birth of the sardine, as it hatches from its egg and begins its journey through life. The imagery used in this section is particularly striking, as Service describes the sardine as "a silver arrow in the sky" and "a flash of light in the sea." These descriptions create a sense of movement and energy, as if the sardine is constantly in motion, darting through the water with grace and speed.
As the poem progresses, we see the sardine grow and mature, swimming with its school and avoiding the dangers of the ocean. Service uses vivid language to describe the sardine's experiences, such as when he writes that the sardine "danced with the waves" and "played hide-and-seek with the sun." These descriptions create a sense of joy and playfulness, as if the sardine is enjoying its life to the fullest.
However, the poem takes a darker turn as the sardine is caught by fishermen and brought to shore. Service describes the sardine's fate in gruesome detail, writing that it is "gutted and cleaned" before being "packed in a tin." This section of the poem is particularly powerful, as it forces the reader to confront the reality of the sardine's life and the impact that humans have on the natural world.
Despite the bleakness of this section, the poem ends on a hopeful note. Service writes that the sardine's "soul goes singing on" even after its death, and that it will continue to bring joy to those who eat it. This final stanza is a reminder that even in death, the sardine has a purpose and a legacy that will live on.
One of the key themes of this poem is the cycle of life and death. Service shows us that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures, like the sardine, have a role to play in the natural world. The sardine's life is full of joy and beauty, but it is also marked by danger and ultimately ends in death. However, even in death, the sardine's legacy lives on, as it becomes a source of nourishment for humans.
Another theme that emerges in this poem is the relationship between humans and the natural world. Service shows us that humans have a profound impact on the lives of creatures like the sardine, and that this impact is not always positive. However, he also suggests that there is a sense of balance and purpose to this relationship, as the sardine's death ultimately serves a greater purpose.
The language and imagery used in this poem are particularly striking. Service's use of vivid descriptions and metaphors creates a sense of movement and energy that is both beautiful and haunting. The sardine is depicted as a creature of grace and speed, darting through the water with ease. However, this sense of beauty is juxtaposed with the harsh reality of the sardine's fate, as it is caught and killed by humans.
Overall, The Poetry Song Of The Sardine is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Service's use of vivid language and imagery creates a sense of beauty and energy that is both captivating and haunting. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to remind us of our place in the world.
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