'Three Marching Songs' by William Butler Yeats
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I
Remember all those renowned generations,
They left their bodies to fatten the wolves,
They left their homesteads to fatten the foxes,
Fled to far countries, or sheltered themselves
In cavern, crevice, or hole,
Defending Ireland's soul.
Be still, be still, what can be said?
My father sang that song,
But time amends old wrong,
All that is finished, let it fade.
Remember all those renowned generations,
Remember all that have sunk in their blood,
Remember all that have died on the scaffold,
Remember all that have fled, that have stood,
Stood, took death like a tune
On an old,tambourine.
Be still, be still, what can be said?
My father sang that song,
But time amends old wrong,
And all that's finished, let it fade.
Fail, and that history turns into rubbish,
All that great past to a trouble of fools;
Those that come after shall mock at O'Donnell,
Mock at the memory of both O'Neills,
Mock Emmet, mock Parnell,
All the renown that fell.
Be still, be still, what can be said?
My father sang that song,
but time amends old wrong,
And all that's finished, let it fade.
II
The soldier takes pride in saluting his Captain,
The devotee proffers a knee to his Lord,
Some back a mare thrown from a thoroughbred,,
Troy backed its Helen; Troy died and adored;
Great nations blossom above;
A slave bows down to a slave.
What marches through the mountain pass?
No, no, my son, not yet;
That is an airy spot,
And no man knows what treads the grass.
We know what rascal might has defiled,
The lofty innocence that it has slain,
Were we not born in the peasant's cot
Where men forgive if the belly gain?
More dread the life that we live,
How can the mind forgive?
What marches down the mountain pass?
No, no, my son, not yet;
That is an airy spot,
And no man knows what treads the grass.
What if there's nothing up there at the top?
Where are the captains that govern mankind?
What tears down a tree that has nothing within it?
A blast of the wind, O a marching wind,
March wind, and any old tune.
March, march, and how does it run?
What marches down the mountain pass?
No, no, my son, not yet;
That is an airy spot,
And no man knows what treads the grass.
III
Grandfather sang it under the gallows:
"Hear, gentlemen, ladies, and all mankind:
Money is good and a girl might be better,
But good strong blows are delights to the mind.'
There, standing on the cart,
He sang it from his heart.
Robbers had taken his old tambourine,
But he took down the moon
And rattled out a tunc;
Robbers had taken his old tambourinc.
"A girl I had, but she followed another,
Money I had, and it went in the night,
Strong drink I had, and it brought me to sorrow,
But a good strong cause and blows are delight.'
All there caught up the tune:
"Oh, on, my darling man.'
Robbers had taken his old tambourine,
But he took down the moon
And rattled out a tune;
Robbers had taken his old tambourine.
"Money is good and a girl might be better,
No matter what happens and who takes the fall,
But a good strong cause' - the rope gave a jerk there,
No more sang he, for his throat was too small;
But he kicked before he died,
He did it out of pride.
Robbers had taken his old tambourine,
But he took down the moon
And rattled out a tune;
Robbers had taken his old tambourine.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Three Marching Songs by William Butler Yeats
Wow, what an incredible poem! Three Marching Songs by William Butler Yeats is a true masterpiece of literature. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I'm going to take you on a journey through the three songs, exploring the themes, symbols, and motifs that make this poem so special.
Song One: To the Tune of "Wearing of the Green"
The first song in Three Marching Songs is a call to arms, a rallying cry for Irish nationalism. Yeats uses powerful imagery and symbolism to evoke a sense of pride and unity in his fellow countrymen.
The opening line, "Oh, Paddy dear, and did you hear the news that's going round?" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of "Paddy" as a term of endearment for the Irish people immediately establishes a sense of closeness and familiarity between the speaker and the audience.
Throughout the song, Yeats employs a variety of symbols to represent the struggle for Irish independence. The "wearing of the green" is a reference to the tradition of wearing green clothing as a symbol of Irish pride. The "shamrock" is another well-known symbol of Ireland, representing the country's natural beauty and resilience.
But it's not just symbols that make this song so powerful. Yeats also uses language to great effect. The repetition of "Ireland free" at the end of each stanza drives home the central message of the poem: that the Irish people deserve freedom and independence.
Song Two: To the Tune of "Red Iron Ore"
The second song in Three Marching Songs is a bit darker than the first. It deals with the concept of sacrifice and the price that must be paid for freedom.
The opening line, "Red iron ore, and the pale-faced moon," sets a somber and foreboding tone. The use of color imagery is particularly effective here, as red and pale both evoke a sense of danger and uncertainty.
As the song progresses, Yeats explores the idea of sacrifice in more detail. "And the stars were falling, and the very earth / Seemed to be dying, and the very air," he writes. This imagery paints a picture of a world in chaos, a world where sacrifice is necessary to bring about change.
But what is the sacrifice that Yeats is referring to? It's not entirely clear from the text, but it's likely that he's referring to the sacrifices that must be made in the pursuit of Irish independence. The fact that the stars are falling and the earth is dying suggests that this sacrifice is significant and far-reaching.
Song Three: To the Tune of "The Wearing of the Green"
The third and final song in Three Marching Songs brings the poem to a close with a sense of hope and optimism. Here, Yeats imagines a future where Ireland is free and independent, where the sacrifices of the past have led to a brighter tomorrow.
The opening line, "Oh, see the dawn," immediately establishes a sense of new beginnings. The use of light imagery is particularly effective here, as it suggests that a new day has dawned for Ireland.
As the song progresses, Yeats continues to explore this theme of hope and renewal. He writes, "And a new day is born for the land of the free," suggesting that Ireland is finally free from the shackles of colonialism.
But what is it that has brought about this change? Again, it's not entirely clear from the text, but it's likely that Yeats is referring to the sacrifices of the past. The fact that a new day has dawned suggests that these sacrifices were not in vain, and that Ireland is now a better place because of them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Three Marching Songs is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of Irish nationalism, sacrifice, and hope. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and masterful language, Yeats paints a picture of a country on the cusp of change, a country that is ready to take its place among the nations of the world.
Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply interested in Irish history and culture, Three Marching Songs is a must-read. Its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, and its themes of freedom, sacrifice, and hope are truly universal. So why not take a few minutes to read it for yourself? You won't regret it!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Three Marching Songs by William Butler Yeats is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that captures the spirit of the Irish people and their struggle for independence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which is a marching song. The first song is titled "We're Marching to the Town." It is a call to arms, urging the Irish people to rise up and fight for their freedom. The second song is titled "A Nation Once Again." It is a celebration of Irish identity and a call for unity among the people. The third song is titled "The Watchers." It is a warning to the Irish people to be vigilant and to never forget the sacrifices made by their ancestors.
The first song, "We're Marching to the Town," is a powerful and stirring call to arms. It begins with the line "We're marching to the town, my boys, we're marching to the town." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of urgency and determination. The poem goes on to describe the Irish people as "sons of the soil," emphasizing their connection to the land and their deep roots in Ireland.
The imagery used in this song is particularly striking. Yeats describes the Irish people as "a wave that breaks on the shore," suggesting their strength and power. He also uses the image of a "flame that burns in the night," symbolizing the passion and determination of the Irish people. These images help to convey the sense of unity and purpose that the Irish people felt during their struggle for independence.
The second song, "A Nation Once Again," is a celebration of Irish identity and a call for unity among the people. The poem begins with the line "When boyhood's fire was in my blood, I read of ancient freemen." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of pride in Irish history and culture. The poem goes on to describe the Irish people as "a nation once again," emphasizing their unity and strength.
The imagery used in this song is also powerful. Yeats describes the Irish people as "a people long oppressed," emphasizing the struggles they have faced throughout history. He also uses the image of a "mighty voice that shall arise," symbolizing the power and unity of the Irish people. These images help to convey the sense of pride and determination that the Irish people felt during their struggle for independence.
The third song, "The Watchers," is a warning to the Irish people to be vigilant and to never forget the sacrifices made by their ancestors. The poem begins with the line "The watchers on the hill look down upon the town." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of vigilance and caution. The poem goes on to describe the Irish people as "a people who have suffered long," emphasizing the sacrifices they have made throughout history.
The imagery used in this song is particularly haunting. Yeats describes the watchers on the hill as "ghosts of the dead," suggesting that the sacrifices made by the Irish people are not forgotten. He also uses the image of a "shadowy host," symbolizing the ongoing struggle for independence. These images help to convey the sense of caution and vigilance that the Irish people felt during their struggle for independence.
In conclusion, Three Marching Songs by William Butler Yeats is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the Irish people and their struggle for independence. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which is a marching song. The first song is a call to arms, urging the Irish people to rise up and fight for their freedom. The second song is a celebration of Irish identity and a call for unity among the people. The third song is a warning to the Irish people to be vigilant and to never forget the sacrifices made by their ancestors. The imagery and symbolism used in the poem are particularly striking, helping to convey the sense of unity, pride, and determination that the Irish people felt during their struggle for independence.
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