The Alder Tree

Charles Mackay 1814 (Perth) – 1889 (London)



Alder tree, O alder tree,
Over his grave reclining;
I've braided a wreath of the fairest flowers
That ever were fed by the spring-time showers.
Or nursed by the summer shining.
Short, but lovely, their lives have been,
Like his in the damp sod sleeping,
And I strew them now on the hillock green,
Where a mournful watch I'm keeping.

Alder tree! O alder tree!
Is it a voice of sorrow
That sighs 'mong thy leaves in the silent night,
When the radiant hue of the moonshine bright
Announceth a pleasant morrow?
'Tis a voice of wailing, O alder tree,
'Tis the evening breeze that weepeth,
'Tis the nightingale singing a song like me,
O'er the grave where my loved one sleepeth!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

38 sec read
120

Quick analysis:

Scheme Abccbxbxb Adeedafaf
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 679
Words 124
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 9, 9

Charles Mackay

Charles Mackay was a Scottish poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter, remembered mainly for his book Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. more…

All Charles Mackay poems | Charles Mackay Books

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