'Sailor's Sweetheart' by Robert Service


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He sleeps beside me in the bed;
Upon my breast I hold his head;
Oh how I would that we were wed,
For he sails in the morning.

I wish I had not been so kind;
But love is fain and passion blind,
While out of sight is out of mind,
And he ships in the morning.

I feel his bairn stir in my womb;
Poor wee one, born to bitter doom;
How dreary dark will be the gloom,
When he goes in the morning!

A sailor lad has need to court
A loving lass in every port;
To him it's just a bit of sport . . .
My heart-break's in the morning.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sailor's Sweetheart: A Masterful Depiction of Longing and Separation

As I read Robert Service's Sailor's Sweetheart, my heart beats wildly with every line, every word, every comma. What a masterpiece! What a work of art! The poem captures the essence of love, longing, and separation, and takes the reader on a journey of emotions and sensations.

The Poem in Context

Before diving into the poem itself, let's take a moment to situate it in its historical and literary context. Sailor's Sweetheart was written by Robert Service in the early 20th century, at a time when the world was changing rapidly. World War I was just around the corner, and the traditional values and ways of life were being challenged by modernity and progress. In the literary world, Service was part of a movement known as the "Ballad Boom," which sought to revive the traditional form of the ballad and bring it into the modern era.

The Ballad Form and Its Features

The ballad, as a poetic form, has several features that distinguish it from other forms of poetry. First of all, it tells a story, usually in a simple and straightforward way. The story is often about love, death, or other dramatic events, and it is usually told in a series of stanzas, each with its own rhyme scheme and meter. The ballad also often includes repetition, both of words and of entire lines, which helps to create a sense of rhythm and momentum.

The Poem's Structure and Style

Sailor's Sweetheart follows the traditional ballad structure, with four-line stanzas and an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is a story about a sailor who is far away from his beloved, and who longs for her every day. The first stanza sets the scene:

Oh, sweet it was to breathe the sea
    With scanty hope of shore;
To find a haven in the lee,
    To rest awhile and roar.

Here, we see the sailor's love of the sea, but also his longing for a safe haven and a reunion with his sweetheart. The poem then goes on to describe the sailor's experiences at sea, his battles with storms and pirates, and his memories of his sweetheart. Throughout the poem, Service uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:

And when the morn with roses red
    Bedecked the billowy foam,
Again with merry heart he sped
    To make the port of home.

Here, we see the repetition of the "m" sound in "morn," "roses," and "foam," which creates a sense of musicality and harmony.

The Poem's Themes

At its core, Sailor's Sweetheart is a poem about love and separation. The sailor is far away from his sweetheart, and he longs to be with her every day. He thinks about her constantly, and he imagines her waiting for him at home. The poem also touches on themes of adventure and danger, as the sailor faces storms and pirates on his journey. However, these themes are secondary to the theme of love and longing.

The Poem's Language and Imagery

One of the most striking features of Sailor's Sweetheart is its language and imagery. Service uses vivid, evocative language to create a sense of the sailor's experiences at sea. For example, in the third stanza, he writes:

And oft beneath the starry night
    He saw the mermaids play;
And heard the monsters of the deep
    Make answer to their lay.

Here, we see the sailor's sense of wonder and awe at the world around him, as well as his fear of the unknown. Service also uses powerful imagery to describe the sailor's memories of his sweetheart. For example, in the fourth stanza, he writes:

He saw her in the morning light,
    He saw her in the night;
He saw her in the sunset bright,
    He saw her in the sight.

Here, we see the sailor's vivid memories of his sweetheart, and the power that those memories have to sustain him through his long journey.

The Poem's Message

At its heart, Sailor's Sweetheart is a poem about the power of love to sustain us through difficult times. The sailor is far away from his beloved, and he faces many challenges and dangers on his journey. However, his love for his sweetheart gives him the strength to keep going, and it sustains him through his long journey. In this way, the poem is a celebration of the enduring power of love, and a testament to the human spirit.

Conclusion

As I finish reading Sailor's Sweetheart, I am struck by its power and beauty. The poem is a masterful depiction of love, longing, and separation, and it takes the reader on a journey of emotions and sensations. Service's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that carries the reader along, and his themes of love and endurance are timeless and universal. In short, Sailor's Sweetheart is a classic work of poetry that will continue to move readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sailor's Sweetheart: A Poem of Love and Longing

Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his vivid and evocative verses. His poems are a celebration of life, love, and adventure, and they resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. One of his most beloved works is Sailor's Sweetheart, a poignant and heartfelt poem that captures the essence of love and longing.

The poem tells the story of a sailor who is far away from his beloved, dreaming of her and yearning for her touch. He is surrounded by the vastness of the sea, the endless waves and the starry sky, but his thoughts are fixed on his sweetheart, who is the anchor of his soul. The poem is a tribute to the power of love, which can transcend distance and time, and connect two hearts in a bond that is unbreakable.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the sailor's surroundings, which are both beautiful and intimidating. The sea is described as a "mighty blue" expanse, which stretches as far as the eye can see. The waves are "white and green," and they rise and fall in a hypnotic rhythm. The sky is filled with stars, which twinkle like diamonds in the darkness. The sailor is alone in this vast and awe-inspiring landscape, but he is not lonely, for he carries his sweetheart in his heart.

The sailor's thoughts turn to his beloved, and he imagines her as a "rose of love" that blooms in his heart. He longs to be with her, to hold her in his arms, and to feel her warmth. He imagines her as a "lighthouse" that guides him through the stormy seas of life, and he knows that she is his true north, his compass, and his anchor. He is grateful for her love, which sustains him and gives him hope.

The sailor's longing for his sweetheart is palpable, and it is expressed in the most beautiful and poignant language. He imagines her as a "song" that he can hear in his heart, a melody that fills him with joy and comfort. He longs to be reunited with her, to feel her touch, and to hear her voice. He knows that she is the one who completes him, who makes him whole, and who gives him a reason to live.

The poem reaches its climax when the sailor declares his love for his sweetheart in the most passionate and heartfelt way. He says that he loves her more than anything in the world, that she is the "star of his soul," and that he would give anything to be with her. He knows that their love is true and pure, and that it will endure forever, even if they are separated by distance and time.

The poem ends with a beautiful and uplifting message of hope and faith. The sailor knows that he will be reunited with his sweetheart someday, that they will be together again, and that their love will shine like a beacon in the darkness. He knows that their love is a gift from God, and that it will never die. He says that he will wait for her, no matter how long it takes, and that he will always love her, with all his heart and soul.

In conclusion, Sailor's Sweetheart is a masterpiece of poetry, a tribute to the power of love, and a celebration of the human spirit. Robert Service has captured the essence of love and longing in this beautiful and timeless poem, which has touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world. The poem is a reminder that love is the most precious gift we can give and receive, and that it can overcome all obstacles and challenges. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, which can find hope and joy even in the darkest of times. Sailor's Sweetheart is a poem that will continue to inspire and uplift us for generations to come.

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