He comes from the mountains green
To the yellow shore:
A thousand years he's seen
And a thousand more.
His hair is dark as the night.
And gray as the sea
Are the wonderful eyes whose light
Grows soft for me.
Hugh of the Hill has seen
Colleens galore,
Barefooted on the green
Edge of the shore.
Now they are laid away
Under the earth,
Grow neither sad nor gay
For a fairy's mirth.
Hugh of the Hill has made
Some sore hearts glad;
He has bidden the strong be afraid
And the merry sad.
He has given fairy gold,
To the miser's store:
He has kissed the warm mouth cold.
And the light heart sore.
Hugh of the Hill, I know.
Loves me to-day.
It is not he will go.
Grown tired, away.
But I shall go from the hearth
That's mine no more
To the quiet bosom of Earth
That is cradle and door.
Hugh of the Hill, to-night
Is mine alone.
Kiss me, and hold me tight
Lest I be gone
Into a chamber dark
Where you cannot come:
Where you shall call and hark
And I lie dumb.
Now I can hold you close
And answer and hear,
And kiss as a woman knows
When her heart holds fear.
So short is my time to flower.
So long you will
Seek love, and be glad but an hour,
Hugh of the Hill!
I am busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "Hugh of the Hill" to life through some 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:
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Nora Hopper Chesson's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for the complete interpretation, I invite you to explore other musical arrangements in my gallery or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Hugh of the Hill" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.