The Song of the Oak
The Song of the Oak is a poem written by G.K. Chesterton in which he describes the beauty and majesty of an oak tree. The poem begins with the line "I heard a voice crying, 'Woe! Woe!'" and goes on to describe how the oak tree stands tall and proud despite the hardships it faces. Throughout the poem, Chesterton uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the oak tree's strength and resilience. The poem ends with the line "And I saw that the oak was not alone," suggesting that even in times of difficulty, we are never truly alone.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Historical · 395 words
First lines
The Druids waved their golden knives And danced around the Oak When they had sacrificed a man; But though the learned search and scan, No single modern person can Entirely see the joke. But though they cut the throats of men They cut not down the tree, And from the blood the saplings sprang Of oak-woods yet to be. But Ivywood, Lord Ivywood, He rots the tree as ivy would, He clings and crawls as ivy would About the sacred tree.
What this Textopian page supports
The Song of the Oak is listed on Textopian as a poem by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Historical, Mythology, Allegory
- Length: 395 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Song of the Oak by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Death Of The Old Year by George Macdonald
- The Voice Of The Waters by George William Russell
- The Song Of The Wheels by G. K. Chesterton
- Proem by Gilbert Parker
- Ballad Of The Sun by G. K. Chesterton
- The Wild Knight And Other Poems The Human Tree by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The text uses irony and humor to critique societal norms and historical figures.
- Historical — References to historical events and figures, such as King Charles and Collingwood, are present.
- Mythology — Incorporates elements of myth, such as Druids and sacred trees, into the narrative.
Tags
nature · philosophy · poetry · spirituality · metaphor · symbolism · life · death · growth · wisdom · human experience · imagination