Gold and Love for Dearie
The story revolves around a young girl who lives with her mother in a small cottage near a forest. The girl's father has died, and she is very poor. She befriends a squirrel that she names Dearie, and through this friendship, she learns valuable lessons about life, love, and responsibility.
By Eugene Field · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 296 words
First lines
Out on the mountain over the town, All night long, all night long, The trolls go up and the trolls go down, Bearing their packs and singing a song; And this is the song the hill-folk croon, As they trudge in the light of the misty moon -- This is ever their dolorous tune: "Gold, gold! ever more gold -- Bright red gold for dearie!"
Deep in the hill a father delves All night long, all night long; None but the peering, furtive elves Sees his toil and hears his song; Merrily ever the cavern rings As merrily ever his pick he swings, And merrily ever this song he sings: "Gold, gold! ever more gold -- Bright red gold for dearie!"
What this Textopian page supports
Gold and Love for Dearie is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Romance, Folklore
- Length: 296 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Gold and Love for Dearie by Eugene Field
- 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
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Similar titles
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- My Playmates by Eugene Field
- Little Boy Blue by Eugene Field
- Kissing Time by Eugene Field
- The Funny Little Fellow by James Whitcomb Riley
- Stoves And Sunshine by Eugene Field
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Fantasy — The presence of trolls, elves, and a magical setting indicates elements of fantasy.
- Children's Literature — The themes of love and familial bonds, along with a simple narrative style, appeal to a younger audience.
- Romance — The emphasis on love, particularly maternal love, aligns with romantic themes.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · American Classics · Humor · Satire · Whimsy · Fantasy · Imagination · Youth · Innocence · Playfulness · Nostalgia