Down by a River Side
The narrative unfolds around a fair maid who mourns the absence of her true love by a riverside. Her lamentation is filled with sorrow as she reflects on promises made and the pain of abandonment. The maid expresses her deep emotional turmoil, feeling bereaved and forsaken, as she grapples with the reality of her situation. In her sorrow, she recalls the vows exchanged, highlighting the contrast between her expectations and her current state of despair. The maid's grief is palpable, as she articulates her longing and the weight of unfulfilled promises. The imagery of tears and mourning underscores her emotional plight, creating a vivid picture of heartache. However, the tone shifts as a reassuring voice emerges, urging her to dry her tears and dispel her fears. This voice promises unwavering fidelity and love, suggesting a hopeful resolution to her sorrow. The maid's transformation from despair to joy is marked by the sound of church bells, symbolizing a new beginning and the fulfillment of her dreams. Ultimately, the work encapsulates themes of love, loss, and redemption, illustrating the journey from grief to hope. The riverside serves as a poignant backdrop for this emotional exploration, embodying both the depths of sorrow and the heights of joy that love can bring.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1890 · Genre: Folk Music, Romantic Poetry, Ballad · 175 words
First lines
C. J. S. [Music]
1. Down by a River-side, A fair maid I espied, Lamenting for her own true love; Lamenting, crying, sighing, dying; Dying for her own true love.
[Music]
2. Did you not promise me, That I your wife should be? Yet I deserted here must mourn; I who believed, now bereaved, grieved; I who believed, now bereaved, tarry here in tears forlorn.
What this Textopian page supports
Down by a River Side is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Folk Music, Romantic Poetry, Ballad, Lyric Poetry, Traditional Literature
- Length: 175 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Down by a River Side 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 Down by a River Side?
- How does this poem by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Folk Music first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The False Bride by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Queen Of Hearts by Sabine Baring Gould
- A Maiden Sat A Weeping by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Barley Raking by Sabine Baring Gould
- Cold Blows The Wind Sweet Heart by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Broken Token by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Folk Music — The work is structured as a song with themes of love and lament, characteristic of folk music traditions.
- Romantic Poetry — The emotional expressions of love, loss, and longing align with the conventions of romantic poetry.
- Ballad — The narrative style and storytelling elements are typical of ballads, which often convey tales of love and sorrow.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional nature of the verses fits the definition of lyric poetry.
Tags
love · lamentation · sorrow · faithfulness · marriage · longing · grief · music · folk song · romance · nature · river