A Ship Came Sailing
The work presents a narrative of longing and heartache, conveyed through the metaphor of a ship sailing across the sea, symbolizing the journey of love and loss. The speaker expresses deep sorrow, feeling overwhelmed by emotional burdens, and contemplates the futility of their situation, whether they sink or swim. The speaker reflects on the presence of many beautiful women but asserts that none compare to their true love, who is described as the fairest and brightest. This idealization of love is juxtaposed with the realization of betrayal, as the speaker compares their untrustworthy love to a tree that bends and breaks, highlighting the fragility of trust in relationships. As the narrative unfolds, the speaker recounts a moment of innocence while wandering in a meadow, where the act of picking flowers becomes a metaphor for the unexpected pain of love. The imagery of a rose, beautiful yet thorny, illustrates the duality of love—its allure and its capacity to inflict pain. The speaker's desire to possess their heart again, adorned and secured, signifies a longing for emotional safety and the wish to protect oneself from further hurt. Overall, the work encapsulates themes of love, betrayal, and the bittersweet nature of desire, using vivid imagery and emotional depth to convey the complexities of romantic relationships.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 288 words
First lines
H. F. S. [Music]
1. A ship came sailing over the sea As deeply laden as she could be; My sorrows fill me to the brim, I care not if I sink or swim.
2. Ten thousand ladies in the room, But my true love's the fairest bloom, Of stars she is my brightest sun, I said I would have her or none.[25]
3. I leaned my back against an oak, But first it bent and then it broke, Untrusty as I found that tree, So did my love prove false to me.
What this Textopian page supports
A Ship Came Sailing is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Folk, Narrative
- Length: 288 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Ship Came Sailing by Sabine Baring-Gould
- 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 A Ship Came Sailing?
- How does this poem by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Song by Sara Teasdale
- A Maiden Sat A Weeping by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Rose by Sara Teasdale
- But Not To Me by Sara Teasdale
- The Queen Of Hearts by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Bonny Bird by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and sorrow.
- Romanticism — The themes of unrequited love and nature reflect the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The personal expression of emotions and feelings aligns with the lyric genre.
- Folk — The content and style suggest influences from traditional folk songs and ballads.
Tags
sailing · ship · love · sorrow · heartbreak · nature · flowers · rose · oak · meadow · longing · loss