O wild, sweet tune, of which ray soul is fain,
Through the loud sound of sea and tempest heard.
Like the low moan of a wind-driven bird, —
O sad, sweet tune! O passionate, wild strain!
Full of past joy, dead hope, and present pain, —
Once more I catch thee, and my heart is stirr'd.
Stung sharply by that one great, simple word,
Gone as a dream that shall not come again.
Once more I see my lady's warm, flushed face;
See her deep amorous eyes, and swept back hair;
Yea, hear the tender sobbing of her breath.
O tune, made sad with all sweet things that were!
O tune, keep back, or quite restore those days.
That, past, crown life, or break our wills for death!
I am busy working to bring Philip Bourke Marston's "To a Tune" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Philip Bourke Marston's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "To a Tune" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.