The Selfsame Song by Thomas Hardy
The poem reflects on the passage of time and the constancy of nature through the metaphor of a bird singing the same song. The speaker recalls a time when they listened to this song, emphasizing its unchanging quality despite the years that have passed. The initial wonder at the bird's ability to sing the same melody is tempered by the realization that the bird itself is no longer alive, nor are the companions who once shared the experience. This juxtaposition highlights the themes of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life, contrasting the enduring song with the transient existence of living beings. The speaker grapples with the idea that while certain aspects of nature remain constant, individual experiences and connections are fleeting. The poem ultimately evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of change and the passage of time, underscoring the bittersweet nature of memory.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism · 104 words
First lines
A BIRD bills the selfsame song, With never a fault in its flow, That we listened to here those long Long years ago.
A pleasing marvel is how A strain of such rapturous rote Should have gone on thus till now Unchanged in a note!
-But it's not the selfsame bird. - No: perished to dust is he. As also are those who heard That song with me.
What this Textopian page supports
The Selfsame Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Nature Poetry
- Length: 104 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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- Second April Elegy by Edna St Vincent Millay
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- Elegiacs by Charles Kingsley
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and structure, focusing on themes of memory and change.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, nostalgia, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and the passage of time, typical of elegiac themes.
Tags
poetry · nature · love · loss · melancholy · human experience · nostalgia · time · memory · identity · existentialism · rural life