Thou Gloomy December
written in 1791
Thou Gloomy December - meaning Summary
Grief at a Final Parting
The poem records the speaker’s sorrow at a final separation from a beloved named Nancy. Addressing “gloomy December,” the voice frames the loss in seasonal terms: winter’s barrenness and a tempest that strips hope away. The speaker contrasts the bittersweetness of ordinary lovers’ farewells with the pure anguish of a parting that promises never to be reversed. Repetition of the opening lines reinforces persistent grief and the poem’s circular return to loss. Overall it is a concise lament that uses cold, wintry imagery to externalize inner desolation.
Read Complete AnalysesAnce mair I hail thee, thou gloomy December! Ance mair I hail thee wi' sorrow and care; Sad was the parting thou makes me remember- Parting wi' Nancy, oh, ne'er to meet mair! Fond lovers' parting is sweet, painful pleasure, Hope beaming mild on the soft parting hour; But the dire feeling, O farewell for ever! Is anguish unmingled, and agony pure! Wild as the winter now tearing the forest, Till the last leaf o' the summer is flown; Such is the tempest has shaken my bosom, Till my last hope and last comfort is gone. Still as I hail thee, thou gloomy December, Still shall I hail thee wi' sorrow and care; For sad was the parting thou makes me remember, Parting wi' Nancy, oh, ne'er to meet mair
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