by Coleridge · Cluster: Joy · Animals · Comic Verse Song
Abstract
Light lyric song imagining the birds declaring ‘I love and I love’, joining love, spring and birdsong. A children’s nature-song.
Connections
Motifs: Birds, Spring, Seasons Themes & Concepts: Romantic Love, Joy Forms & Genres: Comic Verse Song
Testo integrale / Full text
Do you ask what the birds say? The Sparrow, the Dove,
The Linnet and Thrush say, ‘I love and I love!’
In the winter they’re silent — the wind is so strong;
What it says, I don’t know, but it sings a loud song.
But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather, 5
And singing, and loving — all come back together.
But the Lark is so brimful of gladness and love,
The green fields below him, the blue sky above,
That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he —
‘I love my Love, and my Love loves me!’ 10
1802.