A Three-Part Song by Rudyard Kipling

Name: A Three-Part Song
Author: Rudyard Kipling

The poem is structured in three sections, each celebrating the speaker's deep affection for different landscapes in England: the Weald, the Marsh, and the Down country. In the first section, the speaker expresses a profound love for these regions, unable to choose a favorite among them. The imagery evokes a sense of belonging and connection to nature, highlighting specific features like hills, ferns, and the coastal chalk. The speaker's heart is metaphorically buried in the landscape, suggesting a deep emotional investment in the environment. The second section shifts focus to the Marsh, emphasizing its ancient history and the timelessness of the natural world. The speaker's mind is depicted as free and wandering, finding solace in the Marsh's reeds and the tranquility it offers. This section reinforces the theme of nature as a refuge and a source of inspiration. The final section centers on the Down country, where the speaker's soul is intertwined with the pastoral beauty of the grasslands and the sounds of sheep bells. The mention of specific locations like Firle and Ditchling adds a personal touch, grounding the speaker's experiences in real places. The overall tone is one of reverence and gratitude for the landscapes that shape the speaker's identity. Throughout the poem, the speaker's connection to the land is portrayed as integral to their sense of self, with each region representing different aspects of their emotional and spiritual life. The work encapsulates a celebration of nature's beauty and the profound impact it has on human experience.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism · 191 words

First lines

I'm just in love with all these three, The Weald and the Marsh and the Down countrie; Nor I don't know which I love the most, The Weald or the Marsh or the white chalk coast!

I've buried my heart in a ferny hill, Twix' a liddle low shaw an' a great high gill. Oh hop-bine yaller an' wood-smoke blue, I reckon you'll keep her middling true!

I've loosed my mind for to out and run On a Marsh that was old when Kings begun. Oh Romney Level and Brenzett reeds, I reckon you know what my mind needs!

I've given my soul to the Southdown grass, And sheep-bells tinkled where you pass. Oh Firle an' Ditchling an' sails at sea, I reckon you keep my soul for me!

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A Three-Part Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1913 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1913 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism, Lyricism, Regionalism
Length: 191 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs rhythmic and lyrical language, characteristic of poetry.
Nature Writing — The themes focus on the beauty of the natural landscape and the emotional connection to specific geographical locations.
Romanticism — The expression of deep affection for nature and personal feelings aligns with Romantic literary themes.
Lyricism — The personal and emotional tone of the verses reflects the qualities of lyric poetry.