'Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower'' by William Butler Yeats
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Saddle and ride, I heard a man say,
Out of Ben Bulben and Knocknarea,
What says the Clock in the Great Clock Tower?
All those tragic characters ride
But turn from Rosses' crawling tide,
The meet's upon the mountain-side.
A slow low note and an iron bell.
What brought them there so far from their home.
Cuchulain that fought night long with the foam,
What says the Clock in the Great Clock Tower?
Niamh that rode on it; lad and lass
That sat so still and played at the chess?
What but heroic wantonness?
A slow low note and an iron bell.
Aleel, his Countess; Hanrahan
That seemed but a wild wenching man;
What says the Clock in the Great Clock Tower?
And all alone comes riding there
The King that could make his people stare,
Because he had feathers instead of hair.
A slow low note and an iron bell.
Tune by Arthur Duff
Editor 1 Interpretation
Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower' by W.B. Yeats: A Critical Interpretation
As a literary enthusiast, I can’t help but feel excited when I hear the name William Butler Yeats. His poetry has a certain allure that draws readers in and leaves them with lingering thoughts and emotions. One such poem is “Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower’”. This poem, written in Yeats’ signature style, carries a powerful message that resonates with readers even today.
Background Information
Before we delve into the poem, let’s take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. “The King of the Great Clock Tower” is a play by French author and playwright, Fernand Crommelynck. Yeats, who was a fan of Crommelynck’s work, translated the play into English in 1933. While translating the play, Yeats was struck by the image of the severed head of the king, which is a recurring motif throughout the play. This image inspired Yeats to write “Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower’”, a poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife.
Analysis
The poem begins with the image of a severed head, which is a gruesome reminder of the king’s execution. However, Yeats does not dwell on the gruesomeness of the image, but instead, he uses it to explore the theme of death. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
When life has beaten flat and dull,
And each petal of the flower
Is only as though it had never been,
There comes to mind the power
Of that old, bitter, half-known song
'In the old days, in the old days!'
These lines introduce the idea of life losing its vibrancy and becoming dull. Yeats uses the metaphor of a flower to convey this idea. The flower, which is often associated with life and vitality, has lost its petals, and what remains is a mere shadow of its former self. Yeats then introduces the idea of an old, bitter, half-known song that speaks of the “old days”. This song, which is a recurring motif in the poem, represents the idea of the past and the memories that are associated with it.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the image of the severed head:
For the head of Bran
We would have sown
A shadow on the heart
That never would have grown
The reference to Bran, a figure from Irish mythology, adds a layer of mysticism to the poem. Bran was a legendary Irish king who was beheaded in battle. The reference to Bran’s head reinforces the idea of death and the afterlife. The lines “A shadow on the heart/ That never would have grown” suggest that the severed head represents a shadow or a reminder of death that lingers on.
Yeats then goes on to describe the afterlife and the journey of the soul:
Our souls, O Socrates,
Went westward-ho
Until we came to the sea
Great and wide and slow,
That parts the dead and the dead,
That parts you and me.
The reference to Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, adds a philosophical dimension to the poem. Yeats suggests that the journey of the soul is a universal experience that transcends time and space. The image of the sea, which is often associated with the afterlife, reinforces this idea. The lines “That parts the dead and the dead/ That parts you and me” suggest that death is the great equalizer and that it separates us from our loved ones.
The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes of death, memory, and the afterlife:
We heard the old, old men say
'All that's beautiful drifts away,
Like the waters.' And we clung on
To our bawbles and our notions,
With our monkey-hands elate,
Longing for the sweet sensations
That vanish with the lover's kiss.
But the world's ways are endless,
And won't allow our play.
These lines suggest that beauty and life are fleeting and that they cannot be held on to. The reference to the “old, old men” suggests that this is a universal truth that has been passed down through the ages. Yeats suggests that we cling on to our memories and our notions, but these are mere “bawbles” that cannot withstand the test of time. The final lines suggest that the world’s ways are endless, and that they will not allow us to hold on to our illusions.
Conclusion
“Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower’” is a powerful poem that explores the themes of death, memory, and the afterlife. Yeats uses the image of the severed head to convey the idea of death, and he explores the journey of the soul in the afterlife. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments that we have. Yeats’ use of metaphors and imagery creates a powerful and haunting effect that lingers with the reader long after they have finished reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower' by William Butler Yeats is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and it speaks to the human condition in a way that few other poems can. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this poem, and we will try to understand what Yeats was trying to convey through his words.
The poem begins with the line, "I have heard that hysterical women say". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that what follows may be the ramblings of a madwoman. However, as we read on, we realize that the speaker is not mad, but rather, she is speaking from a place of deep emotion and understanding.
The poem is about a severed head that is kept in the clock tower of a great castle. The head is said to be that of a king, and it is kept there as a reminder of the power and authority that the king once held. The speaker of the poem is addressing the head, and she is singing an alternative song to the one that the head is used to hearing.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the main themes of the poem. The speaker tells us that the head is "listening to a clock that ticks and tocks". This line suggests that the head is trapped in time, and that it is unable to move on from the past. The clock is a symbol of time, and it represents the relentless march of history. The head is also described as being "cold and dead", which reinforces the idea that it is stuck in the past and unable to move forward.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the alternative song. The speaker tells us that the head is used to hearing "the same old song", which is a reference to the traditional narrative of power and authority. However, the speaker is offering an alternative narrative, one that is based on love and compassion rather than power and domination. She sings, "O love is the crooked thing, there is nobody wise enough to find out all that is in it". This line suggests that love is a complex and mysterious force that cannot be fully understood or controlled. It is a force that is both beautiful and dangerous, and it has the power to transform lives.
The third stanza of the poem continues the theme of love and compassion. The speaker tells us that the head is used to hearing "the same old lies", which is a reference to the propaganda and manipulation that is often used to maintain power and control. However, the speaker is offering an alternative narrative, one that is based on truth and honesty. She sings, "The truth is a shattered mirror strewn in myriad bits; while each believes his little bit the whole to own". This line suggests that the truth is subjective, and that each person sees only a small part of the whole. It is a reminder that we should be humble in our understanding of the world, and that we should always be open to new perspectives and ideas.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of death and the afterlife. The speaker tells us that the head is "waiting for the last leaf to fall". This line suggests that the head is waiting for the end of time, and that it is resigned to its fate. However, the speaker is offering an alternative narrative, one that is based on hope and the possibility of redemption. She sings, "But the merry love will not be caught by death's austere control, nor will it be denied upon the last leaf's fall". This line suggests that love is eternal, and that it transcends death and the limitations of time. It is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still hope and the possibility of a better future.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of the themes together and offers a message of hope and redemption. The speaker tells us that the head is "listening to the ticking of eternity". This line suggests that the head has finally realized that time is not the enemy, but rather, it is a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. The speaker sings, "The nightingale has a lyre of gold, the lark's is a clarion call, and the blackbird plays but a boxwood flute, but I love him best of all". This line suggests that beauty can be found in the simplest things, and that love is not dependent on power or authority. It is a reminder that we should cherish the small moments in life, and that we should always strive to find beauty and joy in the world around us.
In conclusion, Alternative Song For The Severed Head In `The King Of The Great Clock Tower' by William Butler Yeats is a beautiful and haunting poem that speaks to the human condition in a way that few other poems can. It is a reminder that love and compassion are more important than power and authority, and that even in the face of death, there is still hope and the possibility of redemption. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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