Songs of Childhood

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23545

Title

Songs of Childhood

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A timeless collection of forty-seven poems by Walter de la Mare, blending pastoral innocence with subtle terror. Addressed to children yet rich for adults, these verses explore witches, ogres, fairies, and the natural world. With musical rhythms and honest candor, the poetry captures childhood's fears and joys, offering a reservoir of magic and excitement for young readers and their guardians.

Summary up to 500 words

Walter de la Mare's *Songs of Childhood* represents a specialized and sophisticated category of verse: poems crafted by a skilled adult poet specifically for a young audience. Rejecting the condescension, forced cuteness, and archaic affectations common in much children's literature, de la Mare offers honest candor reminiscent of border ballads and traditional fairy tales. The collection unmitigatedly presents the full spectrum of existence, balancing pure joys with the inherent dangers, horrors, and sorrows of the world, thereby satisfying a child's natural curiosity about the forbidden. Musically astute and demanding, the poetry features archaisms and poeticisms that, contrary to adult expectations, fascinate young readers. The work is relentlessly British, drawing deeply on traditions of charms, spells, witches, dwarfs, ogres, and fairies. Major pieces include 'The Ogre,' where a mother's innocent lullaby defeats a monster; 'The Pedlar,' which warns against woful wares; and 'As Lucy Went a-Walking,' depicting a witch's magical dance. Other significant poems explore themes of love and curses in 'The Gage,' while 'The Sleeping Beauty' and 'Lullaby' offer serene, protective imagery. The collection serves as a vital bridge between nursery entertainment and serious literature. It avoids the pitfalls of parody or burlesque found in the works of Lewis Carroll or Edward Lear, instead singing boldly and beautifully without hedges. As noted in the preface, the poetry possesses the honest candor of folk traditions, ensuring that a child's curiosity is met with verse rather than evasion. The work is technically and linguistically rich, appealing to children who are in the business of learning language and are sensitive to verbal rhythms. Ultimately, the collection provides a remarkable reservoir of music and excitement for those fortunate enough to grow up with these poems ringing in their memory, offering a gift that is both delightful and profound.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Poetry
• Children's Literature