Over the Hills and Far Away
The poem explores themes of longing, nature, and the passage of time through the perspective of a speaker reflecting on a little bird's song. The bird symbolizes freedom and the desire to escape the confines of the mundane, represented by the "level" surroundings of streets, houses, and fields. The repetitive refrain of "Over the hills and far away" evokes a yearning for a distant place, suggesting an idealized escape from reality. As the speaker contemplates their own mortality, they envision a future where they will be laid to rest, yet the bird's song continues to resonate, indicating a connection to nature and the cycle of life. The imagery of the sun, sea, and sand emphasizes the beauty of the world beyond the speaker's immediate environment, reinforcing the desire to transcend physical limitations. Ultimately, the work reflects on the interplay between life, death, and the enduring spirit of nature, inviting readers to consider their own aspirations and the inevitability of change.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1854 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, Fantasy · 271 words
First lines
A LITTLE bird flew my window by, 'Twixt the level street and the level sky, The level rows of houses tall, The long low sun on the level wall And all that the little bird did say Was, "Over the hills and far away."
A little bird sang behind my chair, From the level line of corn-fields fair, The smooth green hedgerow's level bound Not a furlong off -- the horizon's bound, And the level lawn where the sun all day Burns: -- "Over the hills and far away."
A little bird sings above my bed, And I know if I could but lift my head I would see the sun set, round and grand, Upon level sea and level sand, While beyond the misty distance gray Is "Over the hills and far away."
What this Textopian page supports
Over the Hills and Far Away is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1854 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, Fantasy
- Length: 271 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Over the Hills and Far Away by Dinah Mulock
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Over the Hills and Far Away?
- How does this short story by Dinah Mulock fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Wrens Nest by Dinah Mulock
- The Travelling Bear Amy Lowell by D. H. Lawrence
- Room To Roam by George Macdonald
- Up In The Tree by George Macdonald
- Where Go The Boats by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Land Of Story Books by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is a collection of Mulock's less known fairy tales, written primarily for young readers.
- Fairy Tales — The book is composed of various fairy tales, featuring mythical creatures and magical events.
- Fantasy — As a collection of fairy tales, the book presents numerous fantastical scenarios and characters, making it fall under the fantasy genre.
Tags
adventure · childhood · imagination · nature · friendship · exploration · fantasy · journey · innocence · whimsy · landscape · storytelling