The Old Tune - Thirty-Sixth Variation

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Lyric Poem
    This shred of song you bid me bring     Is snatched from fancy's embers;     Ah, when the lips forget to sing,     The faithful heart remembers!     Too swift the wings of envious Time     To wait for dallying phrases,     Or woven strands of labored rhyme     To thread their cunning mazes.     A word, a sigh, and lo, how plain     Its magic breath discloses     Our life's long vista through a lane     Of threescore summers' roses!     One language years alone can teach     Its roots are young affections     That feel their way to simplest speech     Through silent recollections.     That tongue is ours. How few the words     We need to know a brother!     As simple are the notes of birds,     Yet well they know each other.     This freezing month of ice and snow     That brings our lives together     Lends to our year a living glow     That warms its wintry weather.     So let us meet as eve draws nigh,     And life matures and mellows,     Till Nature whispers with a sigh,     "Good-night, my dear old fellows!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a beautifully woven meditation on the themes of memory, time, and the ineffable bond of shared experiences. The poet juxtaposes the ephemeral nature of spoken words and "labored rhymes" with the enduring power of "the faithful heart" that remembers. This indicates a contemplation of the transitory and the eternal, a common motif in poetry.

The tone is reflective and nostalgic, underscored by the poet's use of sentimental imagery like the "lane of threescore summers' roses" and the "freezing month of ice and snow" that brings lives together. The structure is uniform, with each stanza contributing to the overarching narrative of companionship over time. The poem employs a simple yet effective rhyme scheme, adding a rhythmic quality to its delivery.

In terms of literary devices, the poet uses metaphors to convey the essence of shared understanding ("As simple are the notes of birds, / Yet well they know each other"), and personification ("Nature whispers with a sigh") to enhance the emotional depth. The poem ultimately serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of shared moments, the passage of time, and the warmth of enduring relationships in the face of life's inevitable winters.

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.