Song, Edgar Allan Poe: Summary, Analysis & Themes

"Song" is a ballad-style poem by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in his early collection Tamerlane and Other Poems in 1827. In this poem, the speaker recounts a memory of seeing a former lover on her wedding day. Despite the joy surrounding her, a blush on her cheek reveals a hidden sense of shame for having lost the speaker's love. The poem is often linked to Poe's own lost love, Sarah Elmira Royster, who married another man, though Poe was not present at her wedding. The poem uses poetic license to express the speaker's feelings of loss and unfulfilled love.

"Song" Poem Text by Edgar Allan Poe

I saw thee on thy bridal day—
When a burning blush came o’er thee,
Though happiness around thee lay,
The world all love before thee:
And in thine eye a kindling light
(Whatever it might be)
Was all on Earth my aching sight
Of Loveliness could see.

That blush, perhaps, was maiden shame—
As such it well may pass—
Though its glow hath raised a fiercer flame
In the breast of him, alas!
Who saw thee on that bridal day,
When that deep blush would come o’er thee,
Though happiness around thee lay;
The world all love before thee.

Quick Facts

Title:	Song
Author:	Edgar Allan Poe
Published:	1827
Meter Type:	Iambic Tetrameter
Rhyme Scheme:	AABB
Structure:	Ballad

Summary of "Song"

In this ballad-style poem, the speaker reflects on a poignant memory of seeing his former lover on her wedding day. Despite the outward joy and happiness of the occasion, the speaker notices a burning blush on her cheek, which suggests a hidden shame or sorrow. This contrast between her external happiness and internal emotions highlights the speaker's sense of loss and unfulfilled love. The poem captures the emotional impact of seeing a loved one move on with another, while the speaker is left with a deep, unresolved feeling of regret.

Critical Analysis of "Song"

"Song" is a reflective and melancholic exploration of lost love and unspoken emotions. Poe uses the setting of a wedding day to underscore the contrast between public happiness and private sorrow. The speaker's observation of the blush on his former lover's cheek becomes a symbol of his own feelings of betrayal and loss. The poem's simple yet evocative language enhances the emotional depth, as the speaker grapples with his unfulfilled love and the haunting memory of the bride.

The autobiographical connection to Poe's own life adds another layer of significance to the poem. The reference to Sarah Elmira Royster and her marriage to another man mirrors the speaker's experience of seeing a loved one with someone else. This personal context enriches the poem's exploration of heartache and longing, making it a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and separation.

The use of a ballad structure and iambic tetrameter contributes to the poem's rhythmic and lyrical quality, reinforcing the emotional tone. The rhyme scheme of AABB provides a sense of closure and unity, while the repeated imagery of the blush and the wedding day emphasizes the enduring impact of the speaker's unfulfilled love. Overall, "Song" is a compelling meditation on the pain of seeing a beloved move on and the lingering effects of lost affection.

Major Themes in "Song" by Edgar Allan Poe

• Unfulfilled Love: The poem explores the pain and regret of losing a loved one to another, capturing the speaker's sense of betrayal.
• Contradiction of Emotions: The contrast between the bride's outward happiness and her inner shame highlights the complexity of human emotions.
• Memory and Longing: The speaker reflects on a past event with lingering feelings of sadness and longing for what could have been.

Stylistic Analysis of "Song" by Edgar Allan Poe

• Imagery: Poe uses vivid imagery of the wedding day and the bride's blush to convey the emotional depth of the speaker's experience.
• Meter: The poem is written in Iambic Tetrameter, which provides a rhythmic and melodic flow appropriate for a ballad.
• Rhyme Scheme: The consistent AABB rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's musical quality and reinforces its emotional tone.
• Structure: The ballad form is used to tell a poignant story of lost love, with a focus on personal reflection and emotional impact.