The Drowned Lover
A young woman mourns the loss of her beloved, who has drowned at sea. As she walks along the shore, she expresses her grief through a lament, detailing the noble qualities of her lost love—his courage, gentleness, and the beauty of his voice. The depth of her sorrow is palpable as she recalls his virtues and the love they shared. In her despair, she resolves to join him in death, longing to kiss his cold body and be reunited in the afterlife. The imagery of the sea and the waves serves as a backdrop to her emotional turmoil, emphasizing the finality of her loss. The refrain of her lament underscores her hopelessness, as she repeatedly acknowledges that she will never see her love again. The narrative captures the themes of love, loss, and the desire for eternal union, illustrating the profound impact of grief on the human spirit. The woman's determination to follow her beloved into the depths of the sea symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice she is willing to make for love, highlighting the tragic nature of their separation. The work evokes a sense of melancholy and reflects on the enduring power of love, even in the face of death.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy · 298 words
First lines
H. F. S. [Music]
1. As I was a-walking down by the sea-shore, Where the winds whistled high, and the waters did roar, Where the winds whistled high, and the waves raged around, I heard a fair maid make a pitiful sound, Crying, O! my love is drowned! My love must I deplore! And I never, O! never Shall see my love more!
2. I never a nobler, a truer did see A lion in courage, but gentle to me, An eye like an eagle, a heart like a dove, And the song that he sang me was ever of love. Now I cry, O! my love is drowned! My love must I deplore! And I never, O! never Shall see my love more!
What this Textopian page supports
The Drowned Lover is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy, Ballad, Folklore
- Length: 298 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- Cold Blows The Wind Sweet Heart by Sabine Baring Gould
- When Love Goes by Sara Teasdale
- The Bonny Bird by Sabine Baring Gould
- A Maiden Sat A Weeping by Sabine Baring Gould
- Blue Roses by Rudyard Kipling
- I Am Like One That For Long Days Had Sate by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs lyrical language, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and loss, highlighting deep emotional connections.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys themes of sorrow and despair due to the death of a loved one.
- Ballad — The work follows a traditional ballad form, telling a story through song-like verses.
Tags
love · loss · grief · sea · mourning · romance · tragedy · sorrow · longing · death · nature · melancholy