A Love Song
By Duncan Campbell Scott
I gave her a rose in early June,
Fed with the sun and the dew,
Each petal I said is a note in the tune,
The rose is the whole tune through and through,
The tune is the whole red-hearted rose,
Flush and form, honey and hue,
Lull with the cadence and throb to the close,
I love you, I love you, I love you.
She gave me a rose in early June,
Fed with the sun and the dew,
Each petal she said is a mount in the moon,
The rose is the whole moon through and through,
The moon is the whole pale-hearted rose,
Round and radiance, burnish and blue,
Break in the flood-tide that murmurs and flows,
I love you, I love you, I love you.
This is our love in early June,
Fed with the sun and the dew,
Moonlight and roses hid in a tune,
The roses are music through and through,
The moonlight falls in the breath of the rose,
Light and cadence, honey and hue,
Mingle, and murmur, and flow to the close,
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Poem Analysis:
Duncan Campbell Scott’s poem "A Love Song" uses the imagery of roses and the moon to explore the intertwining themes of love, nature, and the artistic expression of romantic feelings. Through its lyrical repetition and rich symbolism, the poem conveys the depth and unity of love experienced by the speaker and their beloved.
Theme and Content
The central theme of "A Love Song" is the representation of love through the symbolism of roses and the moon, integrating natural elements into expressions of romantic devotion. The poem illustrates how these symbols reflect the essence of the relationship and the emotional harmony between the lovers.
- Symbolism of the Rose: The rose is a recurring symbol in the poem, representing love and its various qualities. The speaker gives a rose to their beloved, describing each petal as a note in a tune: "Each petal I said is a note in the tune." This imagery conveys the idea that the rose embodies the entirety of their love, with every aspect of the flower contributing to a harmonious expression of affection: "The rose is the whole tune through and through."
- Symbolism of the Moon: The beloved’s response uses the moon as a symbol of their love, contrasting with the rose. The moon is described as encompassing the rose: "The rose is the whole moon through and through." This imagery highlights the idea that the moon and the rose are interconnected, with the moon representing a complementary aspect of the beloved’s affection: "The moon is the whole pale-hearted rose."
- Integration of Symbols: In the final stanza, the poem unifies the imagery of roses and the moon into a single, cohesive expression of love. The description of "Moonlight and roses hid in a tune" reflects how the symbols of nature are intertwined with the emotional and musical quality of their love: "The roses are music through and through."
- Repetition and Emphasis: The repetition of the phrase "I love you, I love you, I love you" throughout the poem reinforces the central message of deep, unwavering affection. This refrain underscores the intensity and continuity of the speaker’s feelings, making the declaration of love a central focus of the poem.
Imagery and Tone
The poem’s imagery is rich with natural symbols, such as roses and the moon, which are used to convey the complexities and beauty of love. The detailed descriptions of "flush and form, honey and hue" and "round and radiance, burnish and blue" create a vivid and sensory representation of the lovers’ emotions.
The tone of the poem is tender and affectionate, with a focus on the harmonious and artistic expression of love. The lyrical quality and repetition contribute to the poem’s romantic and evocative nature, reflecting the depth of the speaker’s feelings.
Structure and Style
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each following a similar pattern of describing the symbolism of the rose and the moon. This consistent structure enhances the lyrical flow and reinforces the thematic connections between the symbols. The style is characterized by its musicality and repetition, which contribute to the overall sense of unity and rhythm in the expression of love.
Scott’s use of rich, descriptive language and natural imagery creates a harmonious and evocative portrayal of romantic affection. The blending of the rose and moon symbolism into a single, cohesive expression of love highlights the interconnectedness of natural beauty and emotional experience.
Duncan Campbell Scott’s "A Love Song" offers a lyrical and symbolic exploration of love through the imagery of roses and the moon. The poem uses these symbols to represent the depth and harmony of the speaker’s feelings, integrating natural elements into a cohesive and evocative expression of romance. The repetition of the declaration of love and the rich, sensory descriptions contribute to the poem’s romantic tone and musical quality. Through its imaginative use of symbolism and lyrical style, the poem captures the essence of love as a harmonious and transformative experience.