Product Description
Housmans poem is about the nature of life, here represented by the cherry
tree. The poet feels he does not have enough time to appreciate this beautiful
world, because, like all living things, he will die. The first stanza is a description of the
cherry tree in its spring-time splendor. It is as 'wearing white for
Eastertide" as if it is celebrating a religious festival. In the second stanza,
the mood shifts from the tree to the poet himself, as he thinks about the
inevitability of death. He, a twenty-year old, estimates that he has about
fifty years left to live. The final stanza expresses the poet's feeling that
fifty more years does not give him enough time to enjoy the beauties of nature.
He decides that he will look at the cherry tree not only when it is "hung with
bloom," but also in winter when it is "hung with snow." The poet thus celebrates the beauties of
nature in all seasons, but also poignantly laments the inevitable passage from
youth to old age and death, the "seasons" of his own life.
I composed this setting of "Loveliest of Trees" to celebrate the 86th
birthday of Joyce Hope Suskind, beloved friend, brilliant musician and composer
par excellence.
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