The Green Bushes
The narrative unfolds in a pastoral setting, where a young man encounters a beautiful maiden while walking in May. The maiden is singing about meeting her lover by the green bushes. Intrigued, the young man inquires about her destination, and she reveals she is searching for her lover. He proposes to be her new lover, offering her gifts and a life of luxury if she forsakes her old love. The maiden, however, is eager to leave, as she spots her true love approaching. The old love arrives only to find the maiden has vanished with another, leading him to lament his loss. He expresses his sorrow and resolves to move on, vowing to embrace a carefree life devoid of heartache. The poem captures themes of love, betrayal, and the fleeting nature of affection, set against a backdrop of nature's beauty. The imagery of the green bushes serves as a poignant symbol of lost love and the bittersweet passage of time.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Folk Music · 350 words
First lines
H. F. S. [Music]
1. As I was a walking one morning in May, To hear the birds whistle, see lambkins at play, I spied a fair damsel, O sweetly sang she -- 'Down by the green bushes he thinks to meet me.'
What this Textopian page supports
The Green Bushes is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Folk Music, Narrative, Drama
- Length: 350 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Green Bushes 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Green Bushes?
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Similar titles
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- The False Bride by Sabine Baring Gould
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- Fair Susan by Sabine Baring Gould
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs lyrical language, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and relationships, highlighting the emotional dynamics between the characters.
- Folk Music — The content resembles traditional folk songs, often reflecting cultural narratives and storytelling.
- Narrative — The piece tells a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, typical of narrative forms.
Tags
love · loss · nature · longing · regret · romance · betrayal · yearning · melancholy · folklore · poetry · narrative