Music
Music - meaning Summary
Longing Transformed Into Song
Rilke’s poem addresses a boy playing Panʼs flute and describes music as a living longing that predates and exceeds deliberate melody. The speaker watches the flute both imprison and form the song: the boy’s life gives the tune shape, yet the music retains a freer, wiser existence before it is forced into notes. The poem ends with the speaker inviting that liberated song toward joy in the garden.
Read Complete AnalysesWhat play you, O Boy? Through the garden it stole Like wandering steps, like a whisper—then mute; What play you, O Boy? Lo! your gypsying soul Is caught and held fast in the pipes of Pan's flute. And what conjure you? Imprisoned is the song, It lingers and longs in the reeds where it lies; Your young life is strong, but how much more strong Is the longing that through your music sighs. Let your flute be still and your soul float through Waves of sound formless as waves of the sea, For here your song lived and it wisely grew Before it was forced into melody. Its wings beat gently, its note no more calls, Its flight has been spent by you, dreaming Boy! Now it no longer steals over my walls— But in my garden I'd woo it to joy.
Translated by Jessie Lamont
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