Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A FAERY SONG, SUNG BY THE PEOPLE OF FAERY OVER DIARMUID by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: WE WHO ARE OLD, OLD AND GAY
Last Line: IF ALL WERE TOLD.
Subject(s): FAIRIES; LEGENDS, IRISH; ELVES;
We who are old, old and gay,
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told:
Give to these children, new from the world,
Silence and love;
And the long dew-dropping hours of the night,
And the stars above:
Give to these children, new from the world,
Rest far from men.
Is anything better, anything better?
Tell us it then:
Us who are old, old and gay,
O so old!
Thousands of years, thousands of years,
If all were told.


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