Girl's Song (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

Girl's Song

By William Butler Yeats

I went out alone

To sing a song or two,

My fancy on a man,

And you know who.

Another came in sight

That on a stick relied

To hold himself upright;

I sat and cried.

And that was all my song —

When everything is told,

Saw I an old man young

Or young man old?

Poem Analysis:

"Girl's Song" by William Butler Yeats is a concise and introspective poem that delves into the themes of youth, age, and the passage of time. Through the use of simple language and a straightforward structure, the poem invites readers to contemplate the complex relationship between appearance and reality. In this analysis, we will explore how the poem conveys its themes and emotions through imagery and contrasts.

Themes:

1. Youth and Age: The central theme of the poem revolves around the contrast between youth and age. It explores how appearances can be deceiving and how one's true age may not align with their physical appearance.
2. The Passage of Time: The poem hints at the relentless passage of time, suggesting that youth is fleeting and age is inevitable. It prompts readers to reflect on the transitory nature of life.

Structure:

"Girl's Song" is a short poem consisting of three quatrains (four-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is ABAB, contributing to the poem's lyrical and musical quality.

Analysis:

1. "I went out alone / To sing a song or two": The poem begins with the speaker setting out alone, suggesting a sense of independence and self-reflection. The act of singing may symbolize the expression of inner thoughts and emotions.
2. "My fancy on a man, / And you know who": The speaker's thoughts turn to a particular man, though the poem remains deliberately vague about the man's identity. The phrase "you know who" implies that the man is known to the speaker and potentially the reader as well.
3. "Another came in sight / That on a stick relied / To hold himself upright": Here, the speaker observes another individual who relies on a walking stick for support. This description contrasts with the youthful and vital image presented in the previous stanza. The walking stick symbolizes age and frailty.
4. "I sat and cried": The speaker's emotional response to the sight of the elderly person is expressed through tears. This reaction suggests a deep sense of empathy and sorrow for the aging individual.
5. "And that was all my song": The poem concludes by emphasizing that the speaker's entire song or reflection revolves around this encounter with the aged person.
6. "When everything is told, / Saw I an old man young / Or young man old?": The final lines present a thought-provoking question. The speaker grapples with the paradox of the elderly person's appearance. Is the person truly old in years but young at heart, or are they a young individual burdened by the physical signs of aging?

"Girl's Song" by William Butler Yeats encapsulates the essence of youth and age in a succinct and contemplative manner. Through the encounter with an elderly individual, the poem prompts readers to consider the complexities of human experience and the disjunction between physical appearance and inner vitality. It leaves readers with a thought-provoking question about the true nature of age and invites them to reflect on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of youth.