Holidays

Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803 to 1882

Poem Image

We are working on musical arrangements of Holidays by Ralph Waldo Emerson and they will be published on a date yet to be decided.

From fall to spring, the russet acorn,
  Fruit beloved of maid and boy,
Lent itself beneath the forest,
  To be the children's toy.

Pluck it now! In vain,-thou canst not;
  Its root has pierced yon shady mound;
Toy no longer-it has duties;
  It is anchored in the ground.

Year by year the rose-lipped maiden,
  Playfellow of young and old,
Was frolic sunshine, dear to all men,
  More dear to one than mines of gold.

Whither went the lovely hoyden?
  Disappeared in blessed wife;
Servant to a wooden cradle,
  Living in a baby's life.

Still thou playest;-short vacation
  Fate grants each to stand aside;
Now must thou be man and artist,-
  'T is the turning of the tide.

Ralph Waldo Emerson's Holidays

We are busy working to bring Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Holidays" to life through our unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.

At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:

  • Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
  • Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
  • Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
  • Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision

This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Ralph Waldo Emerson's words in meaningful ways.

While you wait for our complete interpretation, we invite you to explore other musical arrangements in our gallery or learn more about Ralph Waldo Emerson's life and contributions to literature.

Check back soon to experience how "Holidays" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.

Create a Cloze Exercise

Click the button below to print a cloze exercise of the poem critique. This exercise is designed for classroom use.