A Faery Song (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

A Faery Song

By William Butler Yeats

We who are old, old and gay,*
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told:

Give to these children, new from the world,
Silence and love;
And the long dew-dropping hours of the night,
And the stars above:

Give to these children, new from the world,
Rest far from men.
Is anything better, anything better?
Tell us it then:

Us who are old, old and gay,
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told.

*Sung by the people of Faery over Diarmuid and Grania, in their bridal sleep under a Cromlech.

Poem Analysis:

"A Faery Song" by William Butler Yeats is a brief yet enchanting poem that captures the essence of youth and the enduring allure of joy. The poem beckons the reader into a world of whimsical fantasy while imparting a profound message about the timeless qualities of innocence and happiness. This analysis will delve into the themes, structure, and imagery within the poem to uncover its deeper meaning.

Themes:

1. Youth and Innocence: "A Faery Song" celebrates the purity and innocence of youth. The poem portrays children as newly arrived in the world, untarnished by its complexities. Their innocence is symbolized by their connection to the faery world, a realm associated with magic and wonder.
2. Timelessness of Joy: The poem suggests that joy and happiness are eternal and ageless. While the poem's speakers are described as "old" and "gay," they still long to share the gifts of silence, love, and the beauty of the night with the children. This underscores the idea that joy transcends time and can be appreciated by both the young and old.

Structure:

"A Faery Song" consists of four quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyming scheme of ABCB. This simple structure contributes to the poem's musical quality, making it feel like a playful incantation.

Analysis:

1. "We who are old, old and gay, / O so old! / Thousands of years, thousands of years, / If all were told:": The poem opens with a declaration of age, emphasizing the antiquity of the speakers. However, their age is juxtaposed with a sense of youthful exuberance, as indicated by the repetition of "old" and the exclamation "O so old!" This duality sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the timeless nature of joy.
2. "Give to these children, new from the world, / Silence and love; / And the long dew-dropping hours of the night, / And the stars above:": The first stanza introduces the desire of the speakers to bestow gifts upon the children. These gifts include "silence and love," symbolizing tranquility and affection. The mention of "the long dew-dropping hours of the night" and "the stars above" evokes a sense of enchantment and suggests that the children are in the company of faeries.
3. "Give to these children, new from the world, / Rest far from men. / Is anything better, anything better? / Tell us it then:": In the second stanza, the speakers continue to offer their blessings, this time emphasizing the gift of rest and the idea of being apart from the adult world. The repetition of "anything better" underscores the notion that the simple joys of youth and nature are unmatched.

"A Faery Song" by W.B. Yeats captures the essence of youth and the enduring beauty of joy. The poem invites readers to embrace the innocence and wonder of childhood while acknowledging that the pursuit of happiness is a timeless endeavor. Through its whimsical imagery and lyrical structure, the poem leaves us with a sense of enchantment and a reminder of the eternal qualities of love, serenity, and the natural world.