The Song and the Sigh
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away and becomes embroiled in the lives of the local people. He forms a close bond with a woman who is struggling to come to terms with her past, and together they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and redemption.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical · 112 words
First lines
The creek went down with a broken song, 'Neath the sheoaks high; The waters carried the song along, And the oaks a sigh.
The song and the sigh went winding by, Went winding down; Circling the foot of the mountain high, And the hillside brown.
They were hushed in the swamp of the Dead Man's Crime, Where the curlews cried; But they reached the river the self-same time, And there they died.
And the creek of life goes winding on, Wandering by; And bears for ever, its course upon, A song and a sigh.
What this Textopian page supports
The Song and the Sigh is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical, Symbolism
- Length: 112 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Song and the Sigh by Henry Lawson
- 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 The Song and the Sigh?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem prominently features natural elements such as creeks, mountains, and trees, emphasizing the connection to the natural world.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential ideas about life and death, symbolized by the creek's journey and the song and sigh.
- Symbolism — The use of the creek, song, and sigh as symbols to convey deeper meanings about life's journey and emotions.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Regional Fiction · Social Commentary · Poverty · Outback Life · Working Class · Rural Australia · Folklore · Mythology · Symbolism