Angler's Fireside Song (Carmina Festiva)
The poem is a nostalgic and introspective piece that explores the speaker's memories of childhood summers spent by the lake with his family. The speaker recalls the warmth and comfort of those days, the joy of fishing, and the sense of freedom and simplicity that came with them. The poem also touches on themes of aging, loss, and the passing of time, as the speaker reflects on how much has changed since those carefree summers.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1886 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Recreational · 167 words
First lines
Oh, the angler's path is a very merry way, And his road through the world is bright; For he lives with the laughing stream all day, And he lies by the fire at night.
Sing hey nonny, ho nonny And likewise well-a-day!
The angler's life is a very jolly life And that's what the anglers say!
Oh, the angler plays for the pleasure of the game, And his creel may be full or light, But the tale that he tells will be just the same When he lies by the fire at night.
What this Textopian page supports
Angler's Fireside Song (Carmina Festiva) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Recreational, Folk
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The themes revolve around nature, leisure, and the idyllic life of an angler, typical of pastoral literature.
- Recreational — The focus on the angler's enjoyment and the leisurely aspects of fishing aligns with recreational themes.
- Folk — The use of repetitive, song-like refrains and simple language is reminiscent of folk traditions.
Tags
Poetry · Fishing · Nature · Literary · American · 19th Century · Verse · Rhyme · Song · Angling · Outdoor · Recreational