'Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake' by William Butler Yeats

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I

My Paistin Finn is my sole desire,
And I am shrunken to skin and bone,
For all my heart has had for its hire
Is what I can whistle alone and alone.
Oro, oro!
Tomorrow night I will break down the door.

What is the good of a man and he
Alone and alone, with a speckled shin?
I would that I drank with my love on my knee
Between two barrels at the inn.
Oro, oro!
To-morrow night I will break down the door.

Alone and alone nine nights I lay
Between two bushes under the rain;
I thought to have whistled her down that
I whistled and whistled and whistled in vain.
Oro, oro!
To-morrow night I will break down the door.

From The Pot of Broth
Tune: Paistin Finn

II

I would that I were an old beggar
Rolling a blind pearl eye,
For he cannot see my lady
Go gallivanting by;

A dreary, dreepy beggar
Without a friend on the earth
But a thieving rascally cur -
O a beggar blind from his birth;

Or anything else but a rhymer
Without a thing in his head
But rhymes for a beautiful lady,
He rhyming alone in his bed.

From The Player Queen

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Look into Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake by William Butler Yeats

Who doesn't love a good tune? It's the kind of thing that gets stuck in your head and won't leave until you've hummed it out loud for the hundredth time. But what about the lyrics that go along with it? Are they just there to fill in the gaps, or do they hold their own weight? This is a question that William Butler Yeats explores in his poem "Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake". In this literary criticism, we are going to delve into the meaning behind this poem, as well as explore the stylistic choices made by Yeats to bring this message to life.

Overview of the Poem

"Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake" is a poem that consists of two separate stanzas, each with its own set of lyrics. The first stanza tells the story of a man who is trying to woo a woman by singing a song to her. However, the lyrics of the song are meaningless and do not convey any real emotion or message. The second stanza is about a group of soldiers who are marching to war, singing a song that is full of patriotic fervor. However, the lyrics of this song are also meaningless and do not convey any real message or emotion.

Upon first glance, it's easy to think that Yeats is simply pointing out the fact that lyrics can be meaningless when compared to the melody of a song. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Yeats is trying to say something much deeper about the power of words and how they can be used to manipulate emotions.

Stanza One: The Wooing Song

In the first stanza, Yeats tells the story of a man who is trying to woo a woman by singing a song to her. The man sings a tune that is sweet and romantic, but the lyrics are meaningless and do not convey any real emotion or message. The woman, however, is swept off her feet by the melody and falls in love with the man.

It's easy to see how this scenario could play out in real life. We've all heard songs that we love the melody of, but when we actually sit down and listen to the lyrics, we realize that they don't actually mean anything. However, Yeats is not simply making a commentary on the superficiality of pop music. He is using this scenario to make a larger point about the power of words to manipulate our emotions.

In this stanza, Yeats is showing how the man is able to manipulate the woman's emotions by using a sweet melody. The man doesn't actually have to say anything meaningful or convey any real emotions in order to win the woman over. He simply has to sing a sweet melody and the woman is swept off her feet.

This is a powerful statement about the power of words and how they can be used to manipulate our emotions. It shows how we can be easily swayed by someone who knows how to use language effectively, even if the words themselves are meaningless.

Stanza Two: The Marching Song

In the second stanza, Yeats tells the story of a group of soldiers who are marching to war, singing a song that is full of patriotic fervor. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the lyrics of this song are also meaningless and do not convey any real message or emotion.

Again, it's easy to see how this scenario could play out in real life. We've all heard patriotic songs that we love to sing along to, but when we actually sit down and listen to the lyrics, we realize that they don't actually mean anything. However, Yeats is not simply making a commentary on the superficiality of patriotic music. He is using this scenario to make a larger point about the power of words to manipulate our emotions.

In this stanza, Yeats is showing how the soldiers are able to be manipulated by a song that is full of patriotic fervor. The soldiers don't actually have to believe in the cause they are fighting for. They simply have to sing a song that makes them feel patriotic and they will be willing to fight for their country.

The Power of Words

Both stanzas of "Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake" are about the power of words to manipulate our emotions. Yeats is making a statement about how language is used to control people and how we can be easily swayed by someone who knows how to use language effectively.

This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where we are bombarded with messages from all angles. From politicians to advertisers, everyone is trying to manipulate our emotions in order to get us to do what they want. Yeats is warning us to be careful of the words we hear and to take the time to really think about what they mean.

Stylistic Choices

In addition to the powerful message behind "Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake", Yeats also makes a number of stylistic choices that help to bring this message to life.

Repetition

One of the most obvious stylistic choices made by Yeats in this poem is his use of repetition. In both stanzas, he repeats the idea that the lyrics of the songs are meaningless and do not convey any real emotion or message.

By repeating this idea, Yeats is driving home the point that words can be used to manipulate our emotions. He is showing us that this is not just a fluke, but rather a deliberate attempt to control us.

Rhyme

Another stylistic choice made by Yeats in this poem is his use of rhyme. The first stanza, in particular, is full of rhyming words that help to create a sense of flow and rhythm in the poem.

By using rhyme, Yeats is able to create a sense of musicality in the poem. This helps to reinforce the idea that the melody of a song can be just as powerful as the words themselves.

Metaphors

Finally, Yeats uses a number of metaphors throughout the poem to help bring his message to life. In the first stanza, for example, he compares the man's song to a "jingle on the spur". This metaphor helps to create an image in the reader's mind of a sweet, seductive melody that is meant to entice the listener.

In the second stanza, Yeats uses the metaphor of the soldiers being "riddled with shot and shell". This metaphor helps to create a sense of violence and danger, while also emphasizing the fact that the soldiers are willing to die for a cause they may not even believe in.

Conclusion

In "Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake", William Butler Yeats is making a powerful statement about the power of words to manipulate our emotions. By showing us two scenarios in which people are swayed by meaningless language, he is warning us to be careful of the words we hear and to take the time to really think about what they mean.

Through his use of repetition, rhyme, and metaphors, Yeats is able to bring this message to life in a way that is both powerful and effective. This poem serves as a warning to all of us to be careful of the words we hear and to take the time to really think about what they mean.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, playwright, and politician, is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, mystical themes, and deep symbolism. Among his many masterpieces, Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake stands out as a unique and fascinating piece of poetry that showcases Yeats' mastery of language and form.

The poem consists of two parts, each of which is a reworking of an old Irish folk song. The first part, titled "The Lady's First Song," is a retelling of the traditional ballad "The Lass of Aughrim." The second part, titled "The Lady's Second Song," is a reworking of the song "The Grief of a Girl's Heart." What makes Yeats' version of these songs so remarkable is not only the beauty of his language but also the way he transforms the original songs into something new and profound.

In "The Lady's First Song," Yeats tells the story of a young woman who is in love with a man who does not return her affections. The woman sings of her love for him, but also of her sadness and despair at his indifference. The original ballad, "The Lass of Aughrim," tells a similar story, but Yeats' version is more complex and nuanced. He adds layers of meaning to the song by using rich imagery and metaphors.

For example, in the second stanza, the woman sings:

"I gave my love a golden ring, I gave my love a wedding bed, I gave my love a baby boy, And all for him my blood was shed."

These lines are a powerful expression of the woman's love for the man, but they also have deeper symbolic meaning. The golden ring represents the woman's commitment to the man, the wedding bed represents their union, and the baby boy represents their future together. The line "And all for him my blood was shed" is a metaphor for the woman's sacrifice of herself for the man, both physically and emotionally.

Yeats' use of imagery and metaphor continues throughout the poem, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and meanings. The final stanza, in which the woman sings of her death and burial, is particularly poignant:

"And when I'm dead and in my grave, And all my bones are rotted away, By you my love no tears will shed, For you have left me in the clay."

These lines are a powerful reminder of the woman's ultimate fate, but they also suggest a deeper meaning. The woman's death and burial can be seen as a metaphor for the death of her love for the man. By leaving her in the clay, the man has effectively killed her love, and she is now nothing but a memory.

In "The Lady's Second Song," Yeats tells the story of a young woman who has been betrayed by her lover. The woman sings of her grief and despair, but also of her determination to move on and find happiness again. The original song, "The Grief of a Girl's Heart," is a simple lament, but Yeats' version is much more complex and nuanced.

The poem begins with the woman singing:

"I gave my love a little smile, I gave my love a little kiss, I gave my love a little heart, And all for him my soul was his."

These lines are a powerful expression of the woman's love for the man, but they also have deeper symbolic meaning. The little smile represents the woman's joy, the little kiss represents her passion, and the little heart represents her love. The line "And all for him my soul was his" is a metaphor for the woman's complete surrender to the man, both physically and emotionally.

As the poem progresses, the woman's grief and despair become more pronounced. She sings of her tears and her broken heart, but also of her determination to move on and find happiness again. The final stanza, in which the woman sings of her hope for the future, is particularly powerful:

"I'll find a love that's true and kind, And he will love me all the while, And I will give him all my heart, And all my soul will be his smile."

These lines are a powerful expression of the woman's determination to find happiness again, but they also suggest a deeper meaning. The woman's hope for the future can be seen as a metaphor for the human capacity for resilience and renewal. No matter how great our grief and despair, we always have the capacity to find happiness again.

In conclusion, Two Songs Rewritten For The Tune's Sake is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases William Butler Yeats' mastery of language and form. Through his reworking of two old Irish folk songs, Yeats creates something new and profound, full of rich imagery and metaphor. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for love, grief, and resilience, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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