'I Will Sing You One-O' by Robert Lee Frost
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It was long I lay
Awake that night
Wishing that night
Would name the hour
And tell me whether
To call it day
(Though not yet light)
And give up sleep.
The snow fell deep
With the hiss of spray;
Two winds would meet,
One down one street,
One down another,
And fight in a smother
Of dust and feather.
I could not say,
But feared the cold
Had checked the pace
Of the tower clock
By tying together
Its hands of gold
Before its face.
Then cane one knock!
A note unruffled
Of earthly weather,
Though strange and muffled.
The tower said, "One!'
And then a steeple.
They spoke to themselves
And such few people
As winds might rouse
From sleeping warm
(But not unhouse).
They left the storm
That struck en masse
My window glass
Like a beaded fur.
In that grave One
They spoke of the sun
And moon and stars,
Saturn and Mars
And Jupiter.
Still more unfettered,
They left the named
And spoke of the lettered,
The sigmas and taus
Of constellations.
They filled their throats
With the furthest bodies
To which man sends his
Speculation,
Beyond which God is;
The cosmic motes
Of yawning lenses.
Their solemn peals
Were not their own:
They spoke for the clock
With whose vast wheels
Theirs interlock.
In that grave word
Uttered alone
The utmost star
Trembled and stirred,
Though set so far
Its whirling frenzies
Appear like standing
in one self station.
It has not ranged,
And save for the wonder
Of once expanding
To be a nova,
It has not changed
To the eye of man
On planets over
Around and under
It in creation
Since man began
To drag down man
And nation nation.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Will Sing You One-O by Robert Lee Frost: A Masterpiece of Simplicity
When it comes to poetry, Robert Lee Frost is a name that needs no introduction. The celebrated American poet, known for his rural settings, colloquial language, and profound insights into human nature, has left an indelible mark on the literary world. His poems, such as "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "Mending Wall," are studied in schools and universities around the globe. However, one of his lesser-known works, "I Will Sing You One-O," deserves as much attention and praise as his more famous poems. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, style, and structure of "I Will Sing You One-O" and argue why it is a masterpiece of simplicity.
The Poem
Before delving into the analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:
I will sing you one-oh,
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your one-oh?
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so
I will sing you two-oh
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your two-oh?
Two, two, the lily-white boys, clothed all in green
Ho ho ho, the wind and the rain
The lily-white boys are locked in the green, green grass
I will sing you three-oh
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your three-oh?
Three, three, the rivals
Two, two, the lily-white boys, clothed all in green
Ho ho ho, the wind and the rain
The rivals run away
I will sing you four-oh
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your four-oh?
Four and twenty, the tailor and his wife
Were going to catch a goose
The tailor let the goose fly
Ho ho ho, the wind and the rain
The tailor he laughed till he split his side
I will sing you five-oh
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your five-oh?
Five, five, the symbols at your door
Two, two, the lily-white boys, clothed all in green
Ho ho ho, the wind and the rain
The symbols of your house will bring you rich men
I will sing you six-oh
Green grow the rushes, oh
What is your six-oh?
Six for the six proud walkers
Five for the symbols at your door
Four for the Gospel makers
Three, three, the rivals
Two, two, the lily-white boys, clothed all in green
Ho ho ho, the wind and the rain
All alone and evermore shall be so
The Themes
At first glance, "I Will Sing You One-O" may seem like a nonsensical children's rhyme, with its repetitive refrain of "Green grow the rushes, oh" and its seemingly random counting of numbers. However, upon closer examination, one can discern several underlying themes.
One of the most prominent themes is the idea of isolation and loneliness. The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the line "One is one and all alone" emphasizing the solitary nature of the number one. This theme is further developed in the fifth stanza, where the "symbols at your door" are said to bring "rich men," implying that material wealth is a poor substitute for companionship and love.
Another theme is the passing of time and the inevitability of change. Each stanza introduces a new number and a new set of characters, suggesting that life is full of different stages and experiences. The third stanza, in particular, highlights the idea of change, with the "rivals" running away and leaving behind the "lily-white boys." The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the repetition of the line "All alone and evermore shall be so" suggesting that despite the changes and experiences of life, some things remain constant.
The Style
Frost's style in "I Will Sing You One-O" is characterized by simplicity, repetition, and a folksy, almost musical quality. The repetitive refrain of "Green grow the rushes, oh" creates a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the poem, while the counting of numbers adds structure and order. The use of colloquial language, such as "ho ho ho" and "clothed all in green," gives the poem a down-to-earth, accessible quality that makes it easy to read and understand.
Despite its simplicity, however, the poem is not lacking in depth or complexity. The use of symbolism, such as the "symbols at your door," adds a layer of meaning that invites interpretation, while the repetition of certain phrases, such as "all alone and evermore shall be so," creates a sense of resonance and significance.
The Structure
The structure of "I Will Sing You One-O" is both simple and complex. Each stanza follows the same basic pattern, with the speaker introducing a new number and asking the listener what it represents. However, within this pattern, there are variations and repetitions that create a sense of progression and development.
For example, the second stanza introduces the "lily-white boys," who reappear in subsequent stanzas, while the third stanza introduces the "rivals," who also reappear later. Meanwhile, the final stanza brings together all the previous numbers and characters, creating a sense of unity and closure.
Interpretation
So, what does "I Will Sing You One-O" mean? As with most poetry, there are multiple possible interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the human condition, with each number and character representing a different aspect of life.
The solitary nature of the number one could represent the isolation and loneliness that many people feel, while the "lily-white boys" could represent the innocence and purity that we all possess at some point in our lives. The "rivals" could represent the challenges and conflicts that we face, while the "symbols at your door" could represent the material and spiritual wealth that we seek.
Ultimately, however, the poem seems to suggest that despite the ups and downs of life, we are all alone in the end, and that this is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. The repetition of the line "All alone and evermore shall be so" creates a sense of inevitability and acceptance, while the refrain of "Green grow the rushes, oh" suggests that life goes on, regardless of our individual struggles and triumphs.
Conclusion
"I Will Sing You One-O" may not be as well-known as some of Frost's other works, but it is a gem of simplicity and depth. Through its repetitive structure, folksy language, and symbolic imagery, the poem explores themes of isolation, change, and the human condition, while also creating a sense of rhythm and unity. Whether read as a children's rhyme or a philosophical meditation, "I Will Sing You One-O" is a classic poem that deserves to be appreciated and studied for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Will Sing You One-O: A Masterpiece by Robert Frost
Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human experience in his works. His poem, "I Will Sing You One-O," is a prime example of his mastery of language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers.
The poem is a simple yet profound expression of the power of music and its ability to connect people across time and space. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the joy that comes from sharing our experiences with others.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed listener, saying "I will sing you one-O." The use of the word "one-O" is significant, as it is a reference to a traditional folk song that is often sung in groups. By using this term, Frost is emphasizing the communal nature of music and its ability to bring people together.
The speaker then goes on to describe the song they will sing, saying that it is "not a song of love." This is an interesting choice, as love is often a common theme in poetry and music. By choosing to write a song that is not about love, Frost is showing that music can be about many different things and can evoke a wide range of emotions.
The speaker then describes the song in more detail, saying that it is "a song of myself." This is a reference to Walt Whitman's famous poem "Song of Myself," which celebrates the individual and their connection to the world around them. By referencing Whitman, Frost is showing that his poem is part of a larger tradition of American poetry that celebrates the individual and their place in the world.
The speaker then goes on to describe the song in more detail, saying that it is "a song of the old mother." This is a reference to the earth and the natural world, which is often personified as a mother figure in literature. By referencing the old mother, Frost is showing that his poem is about the natural world and our connection to it.
The speaker then describes the song as "a song of the young girl." This is a reference to youth and innocence, which are often celebrated in poetry and music. By referencing the young girl, Frost is showing that his poem is about the beauty and wonder of youth.
The speaker then goes on to describe the song in more detail, saying that it is "a song of the foolish." This is a reference to the human condition and our tendency to make mistakes and act foolishly. By referencing the foolish, Frost is showing that his poem is about the human experience and our connection to each other.
The speaker then describes the song as "a song of the wicked." This is a reference to the darker side of human nature and our capacity for evil. By referencing the wicked, Frost is showing that his poem is about the complexity of the human experience and our connection to the world around us.
The speaker then goes on to describe the song in more detail, saying that it is "a song of the righteous." This is a reference to the good in human nature and our capacity for kindness and compassion. By referencing the righteous, Frost is showing that his poem is about the beauty and goodness of the human experience.
The speaker then describes the song as "a song of the wise." This is a reference to the wisdom that comes with age and experience. By referencing the wise, Frost is showing that his poem is about the journey of life and the lessons we learn along the way.
The poem ends with the speaker saying that they will sing the song "as long as I can sing." This is a powerful statement, as it shows the enduring nature of music and its ability to connect people across time and space. By saying that they will sing the song as long as they can, Frost is showing that his poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the joy that comes from sharing our experiences with others.
In conclusion, "I Will Sing You One-O" is a masterpiece of American poetry that celebrates the power of music and its ability to connect people across time and space. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the joy that comes from sharing our experiences with others. Robert Frost's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers is unparalleled. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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