A Cradle Song by W.B. Yeats (1916)
The poem presents a tender and serene lullaby, expressing a parent's love and hopes for their child. It opens with a vision of angels watching over the sleeping child, suggesting a protective and divine presence. The imagery of angels growing weary of the dead implies a contrast between innocence and the burdens of mortality, emphasizing the purity of childhood. The speaker reflects on the joy of the divine, as God observes the child's goodness, which brings happiness to the heavens. This connection between the child and the divine highlights the theme of innocence and the sacredness of youth. The mention of "The Sailing Seven" likely refers to the seven stars of the Great Bear constellation, symbolizing guidance and protection, further reinforcing the celestial theme. As the poem progresses, the speaker expresses a bittersweet sentiment about the inevitable passage of time. The affection felt for the child is tinged with sorrow at the thought of their growth and the loss of their innocence. The speaker acknowledges that as the child matures, they will miss the simplicity and purity of their current state. Overall, the work encapsulates the duality of joy and sorrow inherent in parenthood, celebrating the beauty of childhood while recognizing the transient nature of life. The tone is both reverent and melancholic, capturing the essence of love intertwined with the inevitability of change.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism · 84 words
First lines
The angels are stooping / Above your bed; / They weary of trooping / With the whimpering dead.
God's laughing in heaven / To see you so good; / The Sailing Seven / Are gay with His mood.
I sigh that kiss you, / For I must own / That I shall miss you / When you have grown.
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A Cradle Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: W.B. Yeats
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism, Children's Literature, Spiritual
- Length: 84 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for A Cradle Song by W.B. Yeats
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a lyrical poem that employs meter and rhyme, characteristic of the poetic form.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on themes of love and loss.
- Romanticism — The themes of innocence, beauty, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
- Children's Literature — The content and tone are suitable for a child, reflecting a nurturing perspective.
Tags
Poem · Literary · Symbolic · Nature · Childhood · Motherhood · Feminine · Masculine · Duality · Contrast · Imagery · Metaphor