Fern Hill

“Fern Hill” is a poem written by Dylan Thomas. It is a nostalgically elegiac and joyful celebration of youth, love, and the passing of time. The poem is set in the countryside of Wales, where Thomas spent much of his childhood. The speaker of the poem reflects on their youth and the carefree days they spent at Fern Hill, a place of beauty and innocence. The speaker laments the passage of time and the loss of youth, but also acknowledges that time brings with it new experiences and growth. The poem is written in free verse and uses vivid imagery and lyrical language to evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia.

“Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs
About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green,
     The night above the dingle starry,
          Time let me hail and climb
     Golden in the heydays of his eyes,
And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns
And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves
          Trail with daisies and barley
     Down the rivers of the windfall light.”

The first stanza describes the speaker's memories of a time when they were young and carefree, spending their days playing and exploring in the countryside.

"Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs"

It suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about a time when they were young and carefree, and the phrase "under the apple boughs" suggests that they were probably spending their time in an orchard or a place with apple trees.

"About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green"

It describes the speaker's sense of happiness and contentment as they spent time in the countryside. The phrase "lilting house" could refer to a house that is built on a slope or hill, or it could be a reference to the rhythm or "lilt" of the speaker's life at that time.

"The night above the dingle starry"

It describes the beauty of the night sky in the countryside. The word "dingle" likely refers to a small valley or dell, and the phrase "starry" suggests that the sky was filled with stars.

"Time let me hail and climb"

It suggests that the speaker was allowed or given the freedom to spend their time as they wished, perhaps climbing trees or exploring the countryside.

"Golden in the heydays of his eyes"

It describes the speaker's sense of vitality and youth during this time. The phrase "heydays" refers to a time of one's greatest success or prosperity, and the phrase "golden in the heydays of his eyes" suggests that the speaker was experiencing a time of great happiness and abundance.

"And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns"

It suggests that the speaker was respected and held in high regard by others in their community. The phrase "prince of the apple towns" could refer to the speaker's status as a leader or respected member of their community, or it could be a reference to the fact that they were spending their time in a place where there were many apple trees.

"And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves / Trail with daisies and barley"

It describes the speaker's memories of spending time in the countryside and playing among the trees and plants. The phrase "lordly had" suggests that the speaker had a sense of ownership or control over their surroundings, and the phrase "trail with daisies and barley" suggests that they were surrounded by fields of wildflowers and grain.

"Down the rivers of the windfall light"

It describes the speaker's memories of spending time in the countryside on a sunny day. The phrase "windfall light" could refer to the light that filters through the branches of trees or to the way that the light seems to dance or move as the wind blows through the trees.Top of Form

 

"And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns

About the happy yard and singing as the farm was home,

     In the sun that is young once only,

          Time let me play and be

     Golden in the mercy of his means,

And green and golden I was huntsman and herdsman, the calves

Sang to my horn, the foxes on the hills barked clear and cold,

          And the sabbath rang slowly

     In the pebbles of the holy streams."

 

Ø  the speaker is recalling a time when they were "green and carefree" (young and full of energy). This is referenced in the following lines as they describe their activities on the farm, including hunting and tending to the animals.

Ø  the speaker describes their surroundings as "happy" and "singing," suggesting that they lived on a farm and were surrounded by nature. This is further emphasized in the following lines as they describe the animals "singing" and "barking."

Ø  the speaker mentions that this time was "in the sun that is young once only," implying that it was a fleeting moment that will never be repeated. This theme of the fleeting nature of youth is repeated in the fourth line, where the speaker describes how "time let [them] play and be," suggesting that they were given the freedom and opportunity to explore and experience life to the fullest.

Ø  the speaker describes themselves as "golden in the mercy of [God's] means," implying that they were blessed and fortunate to be able to enjoy this time in their life. This idea of being blessed is reinforced in the following lines as the speaker describes their harmonious relationship with nature as a huntsman and herdsman.

Ø  the speaker describes the "sabbath" as "ringing slowly" and "pebbles of the holy streams," suggesting that it was a time of reflection and spiritual contemplation. This reference to the sabbath adds a spiritual dimension to the speaker's recollection of their time on the farm.

“All the sun long it was running, it was lovely, the hay
Fields high as the house, the tunes from the chimneys, it was air
     And playing, lovely and watery
          And fire green as grass.
     And nightly under the simple stars
As I rode to sleep the owls were bearing the farm away,
All the moon long I heard, blessed among stables, the nightjars
     Flying with the ricks, and the horses
          Flashing into the dark.”

"All the sun long it was running"

This line suggests that the sun was shining for a long period of time.

"It was lovely, the hay fields high as the house"

The speaker is describing the beauty of the hay fields, which are tall and reach the height of the house.

"The tunes from the chimneys"

The speaker is describing the sounds coming from the chimneys, possibly indicating that people are singing or playing instruments.

"It was air and playing, lovely and watery"

The speaker is describing the atmosphere as being full of energy and joy, with a sense of fluidity and beauty.

"And fire green as grass"

The speaker is describing the color of the fire as being green, similar to grass.

"And nightly under the simple stars"

The speaker is describing the night sky, with its simple and unassuming stars.

"As I rode to sleep the owls were bearing the farm away"

The speaker is describing the movement of the owls, who are taking the farm away as the speaker falls asleep.

"All the moon long I heard, blessed among stables, the nightjars flying with the ricks"

The speaker is describing the sounds of the nightjars, which are flying with the haystacks or "ricks," as the speaker listens throughout the entire night.

"And the horses flashing into the dark"

The speaker is describing the movement of the horses, who are quickly disappearing into the darkness.

“And then to awake, and the farm, like a wanderer white
With the dew, come back, the cock on his shoulder: it was all
     Shining, it was Adam and maiden,
          The sky gathered again
     And the sun grew round that very day.
So it must have been after the birth of the simple light
In the first, spinning place, the spellbound horses walking warm
     Out of the whinnying green stable
          On to the fields of praise.”
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"And then to awake"

- his refers to the speaker waking up from sleep.

"the farm, like a wanderer white"

- the farm is described as a wanderer, possibly indicating that it is a peaceful and quiet place. The color white is often associated with purity and innocence.

"With the dew, come back"

- the farm has returned, covered in dew, possibly indicating that it has been away for a while.

"the cock on his shoulder"

- the speaker is carrying a cock, which is a type of bird, on their shoulder. This could symbolize the start of a new day or a new beginning.

"it was all shining"

- the farm and everything in it is described as shining, possibly indicating that it is a bright and beautiful place.

"it was Adam and maiden"

- this could refer to the biblical figures of Adam and Eve, symbolizing the beginning of humanity and the start of a new world.

"The sky gathered again"

- the sky is described as gathering, possibly indicating that it is becoming clearer or more organized.

"And the sun grew round that very day"

- the sun is described as growing round, possibly indicating that it is becoming larger or brighter.

"So it must have been after the birth of the simple light"

- this line seems to suggest that the speaker believes that the farm and the world around it are newly created, possibly after the birth of light.

"In the first, spinning place"

- this line could be referencing the creation of the universe, which is often described as a spinning place.

"the spellbound horses walking warm"

- the horses are described as spellbound, possibly indicating that they are entranced or mesmerized by their surroundings. They are also described as walking warm, possibly indicating that they are happy and content.

"Out of the whinnying green stable"

- the horses are coming out of a stable, which is described as green and making a whinnying sound. This could symbolize the start of a new day or a new beginning.

"On to the fields of praise"

- the horses are heading out into the fields, which are described as fields of praise. This could symbolize the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

“And honoured among foxes and pheasants by the gay house
Under the new made clouds and happy as the heart was long,
     In the sun born over and over,
          I ran my heedless ways,
     My wishes raced through the house high hay
And nothing I cared, at my sky blue trades, that time allows
In all his tuneful turning so few and such morning songs
     Before the children green and golden
          Follow him out of grace,”

"And honoured among foxes and pheasants by the gay house"

- The speaker is respected by the animals in the house (foxes and pheasants) and the house itself seems to be a happy place.

"Under the new made clouds and happy as the heart was long"

- The speaker is happy and carefree, running around under the clouds.

"In the sun born over and over"

- The speaker is enjoying the warmth of the sun.

"I ran my heedless ways"

- The speaker is running around without any care or concern.

"My wishes raced through the house high hay"

- The speaker's desires are racing through the high hay in the house.

"And nothing I cared, at my sky blue trades"

- The speaker doesn't care about anything, just enjoying the blue skies.

"That time allows, in all his tuneful turning"

- Time allows for the speaker to enjoy the moment.

"So few and such morning songs"

- There are only a few of these special morning songs.

"Before the children green and golden"

- These children are described as green and golden, possibly meaning they are young and full of potential.

"Follow him out of grace"

- The children will eventually grow up and leave their carefree, happy state.

“Nothing I cared, in the lamb white days, that time would take me
Up to the swallow thronged loft by the shadow of my hand,
     In the moon that is always rising,
          Nor that riding to sleep
     I should hear him fly with the high fields
And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land.
Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,
          Time held me green and dying
     Though I sang in my chains like the sea.”

"Nothing I cared, in the lamb white days"

- The speaker is recalling a time in their past when they did not care about anything, specifically mentioning "lamb white days" which could symbolize innocence or purity.

"that time would take me"

- The speaker is acknowledging that time has passed and moved them forward in their life.

"Up to the swallow thronged loft by the shadow of my hand"

- The speaker describes a place where there are many swallows, possibly symbolizing change or transformation. This place is reached through the shadow of their hand, which could suggest a connection to their own actions or choices.

"In the moon that is always rising"

- The speaker describes the moon as always rising, possibly symbolizing the constant passage of time or the cyclical nature of life.

"Nor that riding to sleep"

- The speaker describes a feeling of being carried or transported while falling asleep.

"I should hear him fly with the high fields"

- The speaker describes hearing someone or something flying in the high fields, possibly a reference to the swallows mentioned earlier.

"And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land"

- The speaker wakes up to find that the farm they are on is now empty and childless, possibly suggesting a sense of loss or emptiness.

"Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means"

- The speaker reflects on their youth, describing themselves as being young and easily influenced by others.

"Time held me green and dying"

- The speaker describes themselves as being held in a state of growth and potential, but also in a state of decay or decline.

"Though I sang in my chains like the sea"

- Despite feeling trapped or limited, the speaker sings as if they are free and expansive like the sea.

In conclusion, "Fern Hill" is a nostalgically beautiful poem that reflects on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of youth. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Dylan Thomas captures the joy and innocence of youth, as well as the melancholy and sense of loss that comes with growing older. The speaker of the poem reflects on his own experiences at Fern Hill, a place that holds special memories for him, and laments the fact that those days are now gone. The poem serves as a reminder that time moves on, and that we must cherish and appreciate the moments we have, even as we face the inevitable changes that come with age.