Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FAIRY GOLD by JOHN TODHUNTER

Poem Explanation

First Line: BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES IN THE MEADOW
[A BALLAD OF '48]
I

Buttercups and daisies in the meadow,

And the children pick them as they pass,
BUTTERCUPS and daisies in the meadow,
Weaving in the sunshine and the shadow
And the children pick them as they pass,
Garlands for each little lad and lass;
Weaving in the sunlight and the shadow
Weave with dreams their buttercups and daisies
Garlands for each little lad and lass;
As the children did in days of old;
Weave with dreams their buttercups and daisies,
Will the dreams, like sunlight in their faces,
As the poor dead children did of old.
Wither with their flowers, like Fairy Gold?
Will the dreams, like sunshine in their faces,

Wither with their flowers like Fairy Gold ?


II

Once, when lonely in life's crowded highway,
Once, when lonely in Life's crowded highway,
Came a maiden sweet, and took my hand,
Came a maiden sweet, and took my hand,
Led me down Love's green delightful byeway,
Led me down Love's green delightful byway,
Led me wondering back to Fairyland.
Led me dreaming back to Fairyland.
Ah! Death's envious eyes that light on lovers
But Death's jealous eye that lights on lovers
Looked upon her, and her breast grew cold;
Looked upon her, and her breast grew cold,
Now my heart's delight the green sod covers,
And my heart's delight the green sod covers,
Vanished from my arms like Fairy Gold.
Vanished from my arms like Fairy Gold!




III
Then to Ireland, my long- suffering nation,
Then to Ireland, my long-striving nation,
That poor hope life left me yet I gave;
That poor hope life left me still I gave,
With her dreams I dreamed, her desolation
With her dreams I dreamed, her desolation
Found me, called me, desolate by that grave.
Found me, called me, desolate by that grave.
Once again she raised her head, contending
Once again she raised her head, contending
For her children's birthright as of old;
For her children's birthright, as of old,
Once again the old fight had the old ending,
Once again the old fight had the old ending,
All her hopes and dreams were Fairy Gold.
All her hopes and dreams were Fairy Gold.




Now my work is done and I am dying,
IV
Lone, an exile on a foreign shore;
Now my work is done, and I am dying,
But in dreams roam with my love that's lying
Lone, an exile on a foreign shore,
Lonely in the old land I'll see no more.
But in dreams roam with my Love that's lying,
Buttercups and daisies in the meadows
Lonely in the Old Land I'll see no more.
When I'm gone will bloom; new hopes for old
Buttercups and daisies in her meadows
Comfort her with sunshine after shadows,
When I'm gone will bloom; new hopes for old
Fade no more away like Fairy Gold.
Comfort her with sunshine after shadows,

Fade no more away like Fairy Gold!





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