The Canadian’s Home
(Song)
By Duncan Campbell Scott
There is rain upon the window,
There is wind upon the tree;
The rain is slowly sobbing,
The wind is blowing free:
It bears my weary heart
To my own country.
I hear the white-throat calling,
Hid in the hazel ring;
Deep in the misty hollows
I hear the sparrows sing;
I see the bloodroot starting,
All silvered with the spring.
I skirt the buried reed-beds,
In the starry solitude;
My snowshoes creak and whisper,
I have my ready blood.
I hear the lynx-cub yelling
In the gaunt and shaggy wood.
I hear the wolf-tongued rapid
Howl in the rocky break,
Beyond the pines at the portage
I hear the trapper wake
His En roulant ma boulé,
From the clear gloom of the lake.
Oh! take me back to the homestead,
To the great rooms warm and low,
Where the frost creeps on the casement,
When the year comes in with snow.
Give me, give me the old folk
Of the dear long ago.
Oh, land of the dusky balsam,
And the darling maple-tree,
Where the cedar buds and berries,
And the pine grows strong and free!
My heart is weary and weary
For my own country.
Poem Analysis:
Duncan Campbell Scott's poem "The Canadian’s Home" presents a poignant exploration of nostalgia, connection to the land, and the emotional weight of belonging. Through vivid imagery and a deep appreciation for the Canadian landscape, Scott captures the yearning for home while reflecting on the relationship between nature and identity. The poem resonates with themes of memory, solace, and the intrinsic ties between individuals and their homeland.
Themes and Content
- Nostalgia and Longing for Home: Central to the poem is a profound sense of nostalgia. The speaker expresses a deep yearning for the comforts of home, illustrated in the lines, “Oh! take me back to the homestead.” This longing is not just for a physical place but for the warmth and familiarity of family and childhood. The repetition of "give me" underscores the speaker's desperation for reconnection with the past.
- Connection to Nature: Scott intertwines personal emotions with depictions of the Canadian landscape. The natural elements—the rain, wind, and wildlife—serve as both a backdrop and a catalyst for the speaker’s feelings. Phrases such as “the wind is blowing free” and “the white-throat calling” evoke a vivid sensory experience that reinforces the speaker's connection to their homeland.
- The Passage of Time: The poem reflects on the passage of time and its impact on memory. The speaker recalls “the dear long ago,” suggesting a longing for the simplicity and comfort of the past. This sense of temporal distance adds depth to the speaker’s emotional state, as they grapple with feelings of loss and yearning for the life they once knew.
- Emotional Weight of Landscape: Scott skillfully employs the Canadian landscape as a metaphor for the speaker’s inner feelings. The “misty hollows” and “starry solitude” evoke a sense of both beauty and loneliness. The natural imagery reflects the speaker's internal struggle, as they find solace in the familiarity of their surroundings while also grappling with feelings of isolation.
Imagery and Symbolism
- Natural Imagery: The poem is rich in natural imagery, which serves to evoke the beauty and complexity of the Canadian landscape. Scott describes elements such as the “bloodroot starting,” “dusky balsam,” and “darling maple-tree,” creating a vivid tapestry of the environment. This imagery not only beautifies the poem but also deepens the emotional connection between the speaker and their homeland.
- Symbolism of Home: The homestead symbolizes safety, comfort, and belonging. It represents not just a physical structure but the emotional ties to family and community. The speaker's longing for “the great rooms warm and low” evokes feelings of security and warmth, contrasting with the harshness of the external world depicted through the rain and wind.
- Wildlife as a Reflection of Identity: The references to animals—the “lynx-cub,” “wolf-tongued rapid,” and “sparrows”—serve as symbols of the natural world that the speaker feels deeply connected to. These creatures reflect the wildness and beauty of Canada, as well as the speaker’s own identity as a part of this landscape.
Structure and Style
- Lyrical Quality: The poem’s structure exhibits a lyrical quality, with rhythmic lines that create a musical flow. This musicality enhances the emotional resonance of the speaker's longing, making the sentiments expressed more poignant and relatable.
- Use of Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases, such as “give me,” emphasizes the speaker's emotional need and desire for connection. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and depth in their longing for home.
- Contrast of Tone: Scott balances the beauty of the landscape with the speaker’s weariness, capturing a sense of duality in their emotions. The natural elements bring comfort, yet the overarching tone is one of melancholy and yearning, reflecting the complexities of belonging.
"The Canadian’s Home" by Duncan Campbell Scott is a deeply evocative exploration of nostalgia, identity, and the connection between individuals and their homeland. Through rich imagery and lyrical language, Scott captures the emotional landscape of longing for home while celebrating the beauty of the Canadian wilderness. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the profound ties that bind people to their origins, illuminating the interplay between nature, memory, and the essence of home. In its resonance, Scott's work invites readers to reflect on their own connections to place and the enduring impact of memory on identity.