Who Goes Amid the Green Wood

Author: James Joyce


Who goes amid the green wood
With springtide all adorning her?
Who goes amid the merry green wood
To make it merrier?

Who passes in the sunlight
By ways that know the light footfall?
Who passes in the sweet sunlight
With mien so virginal?

The ways of all the woodland
Gleam with a soft and golden fire --
For whom does all the sunny woodland
Carry so brave attire?

O, it is for my true love
The woods their rich apparel wear --
O, it is for my own true love,
That is so young and fair.

Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written: 1907-01-01

Date Published: 1907-05-01

Language: English

Keywords: Woodland, Spring, Love, Light, True Love

Source: Chamber Music

Publisher: Elkin Mathews

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: A poem celebrating the beauty of nature and its adornment for the narrator’s true love, highlighting the connection between love and the natural world.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.


Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.