'Three Songs To The Same Tune' by William Butler Yeats
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I
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 catt,
He sang it from his heart.
i{Those fanatics all that we do would undo;}
i{Down the fanatic, down the clown;}
i{Down, down, hammer them down,}
i{Down to the tune of O'Donnell Abu.}
"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:
"On, on, my darling man'.
i{Those fanatics all that we do would undo;}
i{Down the fanatic, down the clown;}
i{Down, down, hammer them down,}
i{Down to the tune of O'Donnell Abu.}
"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.
i{Those fanatics all that we do would undo;}
i{Down the fanatic, down the clown;}
i{Down, down, hammer them down,}
i{Down to the tune of O'Donnell Abu.}
II
Justify 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 cavem, crevice, hole,
Defending Ireland's soul.
i{"Drown all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman,}
i{"They killed my goose and a cat.}
i{Drown, drown in the water-but,}
<1Drown all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman.
Justify all those renowned generations,
Justify all that have sunk in their blood,
Justify all that have died on the scaffold,
Justify all that have fled, that have stood,
Stood or have marched the night long
Singing, singing a song.
i{"Drown} all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman.
i{"They killed my goose and a cat.}
i{Drown, drown in the water-butt,}
i{Drown all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman.}
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.
i{"Drown all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman,}
i{"They killed my goose and a cat.}
i{Drown, drown in the water-butt,}
i{Drown all the dogs,' said the fierce young woman.}
III
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.
i{Who'd care to dig em,' said the old, old man,}
i{"Those six feet marked in chalk?}
i{Much I talk, more I walk;}
i{Time I were buried,' said the old, old man.}
When nations are empty up there at the top,
When order has weakened or faction is strong,
Time for us all to pick out a good tune,
Take to the roads and go marching along.
March, march -- How does it run? --
O any old words to a tune.
i{"Who'd care to dig 'em,' said the old, old man,}
i{'Those six feet marked in chalk?}
i{Much I talk, more I walk;}
i{Time I were buried,' said the old, old man.}
Soldiers take pride in saluting their Captain,
Where are the captains that govetn mankind?
What happens a tree that has nothing within it?
O marching wind, O a blast of the wind.
Marching, marching along.
March, march, lift up the song:
"i{Who'd care to dig 'em,' said the old, old man.}
"i{Those six feet marked in chalk?}
i{Much I talk, more I walk;}
i{Time I were buried,' said the old, old man.}
Editor 1 Interpretation
Three Songs to the Same Tune: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to evoke emotions we didn't know existed within us, and to make us see things in a new light. William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, was a master at doing just that. In this essay, we will delve into Yeats' Three Songs to the Same Tune, a collection of three poems that share a common theme and structure.
Overview
Three Songs to the Same Tune was published in 1933, near the end of Yeats' life. The collection is made up of three poems: The Tower, Sailing to Byzantium, and Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen. All three poems share a common tune, which is referenced in the title, but they also share a common theme: the idea that art is eternal and can transcend time.
The Tower
The first poem in the collection, The Tower, is a meditation on aging and the fear of death. The speaker looks back on his life, reflecting on the mistakes he's made and the things he's missed out on. He realizes that his time is running out, and he's afraid that he won't be remembered after he's gone. The poem ends with the speaker asking the tower, a symbol of immortality, to shelter him from death.
The Tower is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. We all fear death, and we all want to be remembered after we're gone. The image of the tower as a symbol of immortality is particularly effective, as it evokes both strength and beauty. The poem is also masterfully crafted, with a strong sense of rhythm and a hauntingly beautiful tone.
Sailing to Byzantium
The second poem in the collection, Sailing to Byzantium, is a celebration of art and the power of the imagination. The speaker imagines himself sailing to Byzantium, a city that represents the worlds of art and culture. He longs to escape the physical world and to become a part of the eternal world of art.
Sailing to Byzantium is a tour de force of poetic imagery. Yeats paints vivid pictures of an imagined world, using rich language and striking metaphors. The poem is also deeply philosophical, exploring the idea of what it means to be human and the role that art plays in our lives. The poem ends with the speaker declaring that he wants to be transformed into a work of art, an idea that is both beautiful and profound.
Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen
The final poem in the collection, Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen, is a reflection on the chaos and violence of the early 20th century. The poem was written in the aftermath of World War I, a time of great social, political, and cultural upheaval. The speaker laments the loss of the old world order, and the rise of a new order that is characterized by violence and destruction. He longs for a return to the old ways, but realizes that this is impossible.
Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen is a deeply moving poem that speaks to the human struggle for meaning in a world that seems to be falling apart. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of historical change, and the idea that the world is in a constant state of flux. The poem ends with the speaker wondering what the future holds, a question that is just as relevant today as it was in Yeats' time.
Conclusion
Three Songs to the Same Tune is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a collection that speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. Through its exploration of the themes of aging, art, and historical change, the collection offers a powerful commentary on what it means to be human in the modern world. Yeats' masterful use of language and imagery make the poems both beautiful and haunting, and his insights into the human experience continue to resonate with readers today. If you haven't read this collection yet, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his work continues to inspire and captivate readers today. One of his most famous works is "Three Songs to the Same Tune," a collection of three poems that share a common melody. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in each of these poems, and examine how they work together to create a powerful and evocative piece of literature.
The first poem in the collection is titled "The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart." This poem is a beautiful and romantic ode to love, and it explores the idea of love as a transformative force. The speaker describes how the rose in his heart has grown and blossomed, filling him with a sense of joy and wonder. He compares his love to a flame that burns bright and strong, and he speaks of the power of love to overcome all obstacles.
The imagery in this poem is rich and vivid, with the rose serving as a powerful symbol of love and passion. The speaker describes the rose as "a flame in the darkness," and he speaks of how it has transformed him from a "cold and lonely" person into someone filled with warmth and light. The use of color imagery is also notable, with the rose described as "red as a ruby" and the speaker's heart described as "a golden cup."
The second poem in the collection is titled "The Poet Pleads with the Elemental Powers." This poem is a more somber and introspective piece, exploring the idea of the poet as a solitary figure struggling to find meaning and purpose in a chaotic world. The speaker pleads with the elemental powers of nature – the wind, the sea, and the stars – to give him guidance and inspiration.
The imagery in this poem is more abstract and symbolic than in the first poem, with the wind, sea, and stars serving as powerful metaphors for the forces of nature and the mysteries of the universe. The speaker describes the wind as a "mournful melody," the sea as a "voice of infinite sorrow," and the stars as "the eyes of God." These images create a sense of awe and wonder, and they suggest that the poet is seeking something greater than himself – a connection to the divine.
The third and final poem in the collection is titled "The Lover Mourns for the Loss of Love." This poem is a poignant and melancholy reflection on the pain of lost love. The speaker describes how his heart has been broken by the loss of his beloved, and he speaks of the emptiness and despair that he feels.
The imagery in this poem is stark and powerful, with the speaker describing his heart as "a broken cup" and his love as a "fading ember." The use of color imagery is also notable, with the speaker describing his love as "a flame that dies" and his heart as "a blackened shell." These images create a sense of sadness and loss, and they suggest that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the end of his relationship.
Taken together, these three poems create a powerful and evocative portrait of love, loss, and the human experience. Each poem explores a different aspect of the human condition, from the transformative power of love to the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a chaotic world. The imagery and symbolism in each poem are rich and vivid, creating a sense of depth and complexity that rewards careful reading and analysis.
Overall, "Three Songs to the Same Tune" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Yeats' skill as a writer and his deep understanding of the human experience. Whether you are a longtime fan of Yeats' work or a newcomer to his poetry, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression and inspire further exploration of his rich and varied body of work.
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