To Hear her Sing
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. It describes an old woman's singing voice, which has been silenced by age and death. The speaker recalls the beauty of her voice in the past, when it was full of life and vitality.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral · 313 words
First lines
To hear her sing -- to hear her sing -- It is to hear the birds of Spring In dewy groves on blooming sprays Pour out their blithest roundelays.
It is to hear the robin trill At morning, or the whip-poor-will At dusk, when stars are blossoming -- To hear her sing -- to hear her sing!
What this Textopian page supports
To Hear her Sing is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral, Lyric, Nostalgia
- Length: 313 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, beauty, and emotion align with the Romantic literary movement.
- Pastoral — The poem evokes idyllic rural scenes and the beauty of nature, typical of pastoral literature.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional expression in the poem is a hallmark of lyric poetry.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Music · Love · Romance · Sensuality · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Personification