DOWN by the salley gardens my love and I did meet;
She passed the salley gardens with little snow-white
feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the
tree;
But I, being young and foolish, with her would not
agree.
In a field by the river my love and I did stand,
And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white
hand.
She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs;
But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.
Notes
First published as 'An Old Song Resung' in The Wanderings of Oisin and other Poems (1889).
Originally an old Irish folk song, Yeats turned this into a poem as a dedication to oral tradition.
Salley= Willow
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this poem
From guest kaiia (contact)
this poem is a wonderful love poem and there is no way that one person would be able to say that it is horrible all together it is truly great ! -
choice
From guest Barry Kew (contact)
Doesn't it relate to Yeats's poem 'The Choice'? She bids him to perfect the life but he chooses to perfect the work – with the consequences laid out in that poem. -
the rhyme is nice, not every line rhymes but it still flows like its not forced, its wonderful ~Amy
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what is this song about????
From guest Amy (contact)
i really like this song and ive been looking and trying to find out what this song is about.Does anyone know what its saying...like the message of the song.all i get when i look for it is lyrics and thats not what im looking for.SO someone anyone please tell me the message of the song please. -
Take Love Easy
From guest Jack Chambers (contact)
Duke Ellington wrote a love song called "Take Love Easy" in 1947. His title obviously alludes to line 3 of Yeats's poem. It is uncertain whether the title is Ellington's or John Latouche's, Ellington's lyricist. The mood seems right, though 58 years separates the the two works. -
Beautiful
From guest harry shapiro (contact)
I was researching the Play Dancing at Lughnasa and I find the reference to this lovely poem. -
beautiful village
From guest Leona (contact)
I am born and bread in the beautiful village of Ballysadare of which Yeats wrote this unrequited love poem to his grandparents home and his experience on the Sally Gardens. The sally gardens still stand testimate today to Yeats love affair with Sligo!! I still hum its heartwrenching lyrical tune everyday! -
Fantastic
A tale of unrequited love, or of a man who didn't take the chance of love when it presented itself to him? Whatever way you look at this, Yeats was a master craftsman. His generation was still only evolving yet his work was modern and fresh. I could re-read this or "He Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven" over and over again and would always read it as though reading it for the first time. Yeats, besides Stephen King, being Irish and a poet, is and was, my only poetic inspiration (I guess I could actually include Shakespeare and Donne in that group as other inspirations.) I love poetry. I always have and I always will. For as long as I draw breath I will keep writing poetry. I may not emulate those I have mentioned but it is privilege enough to be considered a poet (by others) and therefore counted among them though not in the same league as W.B. Yeats.
Shauna D. -
Nice poem
The poem has a romantic touch but actually the maturity or the arrogant nature of the females is described in comparison with the male's attitude towards love. Men, by nature are more responsive in love affairs...and every time they come across such a situation where there is an opportunity of falling in love with the opposite sex, they show extra ordinary enthusiasm. This poem is a beautiful demonstration of this phenomenon. very nice analogy. -
spontaneous emotions ... good flow of words and rhyme ... especially the simplicity in expression...
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Divine
A poem filled with remorse, but beautiful simplicity wrote complex emotions. I especially loved the lyrical elements in here, making it a sad breeze touching the (weeping) willows.
Also: the lovely reference to, firstly, "snow-white feet" and secondly, "snow-white hand" breathes of purity and of tenderness; of walking in grace and of gentle touch. Yet, as snow, the connection was cold and could not convey its intended warmth. Thus, the poet mourned the loss ...
Myra -
Very nice
It seems a bit young in its form, but the overall sentiment is rather touching. -
beautiful
This is one of my very favorite poems by my favorite poet W.B.Yeats. The poem is about having different opinions on such a subject on which no two persons can agree upon...Love…every one has his point of view and his set of experiences in this matter…this is a very simple yet sweet poem. -
Oh the folly of young passion, how many an eager child man has fallen to his racing desirers, and found his hopes have flown?
Yet another superb poem by Mr Yeats.
Andrew
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