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Poem
August 19, 1843
Republican Herald
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem by John Tillson of Boston addresses a canary bird warbling joyfully during funeral prayers, contrasting its song with human grief and finding solace in its melody for the mourners.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetry.
TO A CANARY BIRD:
Warbling during prayer at a funeral.
By John Tillson, of Boston,
Sweet songster! in thy wiry dome suspended
Why mock with wanton strains this solemn air?
While stricken hearts are bowed, and knees are
In fervent prayer!
[bended]
Gay twittering thing! is there no mournful token
In such a scene, to check thy carols glad?
Ah! better were thy thrilling notes unbroken
In requiem sad!
Hast thou no sorrow for our friend departed,
Who sleeps beneath that shroud—the dreamless
sleep?
No dirge-like cadence for the broken-hearted—
Around who weep?
Alike to thee is human gloom or glory!
Still then thy gushing melody prolong.
Nor let these funeral rites—vain—transitory—
Check thy blithe song.
Bright-winged warbler! could thy lays awaken
Joy in the bosom sorrow's load had crushed,
Then would the wounded heart, of hope forsaken
In peace be hushed.
Perhaps e'en now thy liquid tones are lending
Solace to grief, which prayers may not restrain;
Soothing the soul and with the memory blending
Some old refrain!
Some old refrain—that unforgotten lingers
The faded relic of long buried years—
Ere the young spirit, touched by death's cold fingers,
Was dimmed by tears!
Sing on, sweet bird! ring out thy tuneful measure!
I would not bid thy gentle song to cease;
And he who heard thy warbling oft with pleasure,
Now sleeps in peace.
TO A CANARY BIRD:
Warbling during prayer at a funeral.
By John Tillson, of Boston,
Sweet songster! in thy wiry dome suspended
Why mock with wanton strains this solemn air?
While stricken hearts are bowed, and knees are
In fervent prayer!
[bended]
Gay twittering thing! is there no mournful token
In such a scene, to check thy carols glad?
Ah! better were thy thrilling notes unbroken
In requiem sad!
Hast thou no sorrow for our friend departed,
Who sleeps beneath that shroud—the dreamless
sleep?
No dirge-like cadence for the broken-hearted—
Around who weep?
Alike to thee is human gloom or glory!
Still then thy gushing melody prolong.
Nor let these funeral rites—vain—transitory—
Check thy blithe song.
Bright-winged warbler! could thy lays awaken
Joy in the bosom sorrow's load had crushed,
Then would the wounded heart, of hope forsaken
In peace be hushed.
Perhaps e'en now thy liquid tones are lending
Solace to grief, which prayers may not restrain;
Soothing the soul and with the memory blending
Some old refrain!
Some old refrain—that unforgotten lingers
The faded relic of long buried years—
Ere the young spirit, touched by death's cold fingers,
Was dimmed by tears!
Sing on, sweet bird! ring out thy tuneful measure!
I would not bid thy gentle song to cease;
And he who heard thy warbling oft with pleasure,
Now sleeps in peace.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Canary Bird
Funeral Prayer
Sorrow Solace
Death Mourning
Bird Song
What entities or persons were involved?
By John Tillson, Of Boston,
Poem Details
Title
To A Canary Bird: Warbling During Prayer At A Funeral.
Author
By John Tillson, Of Boston,
Subject
Warbling During Prayer At A Funeral
Key Lines
Sweet Songster! In Thy Wiry Dome Suspended
Why Mock With Wanton Strains This Solemn Air?
While Stricken Hearts Are Bowed, And Knees Are
In Fervent Prayer!
[Bended]
Sing On, Sweet Bird! Ring Out Thy Tuneful Measure!
I Would Not Bid Thy Gentle Song To Cease;
And He Who Heard Thy Warbling Oft With Pleasure,
Now Sleeps In Peace.
Perhaps E'en Now Thy Liquid Tones Are Lending
Solace To Grief, Which Prayers May Not Restrain;
Soothing The Soul And With The Memory Blending
Some Old Refrain!