Song Meaning
This poem paints a picture of John Fletcher as a near-mythical musician, whose lute playing commands the natural world. The lyrics establish a scene where even inanimate objects and forces of nature are compelled to respond to his song. Trees, mountains, plants, and flowers all bend and bloom, suggesting a profound, almost supernatural power at play. The imagery of a "lasting spring" implies that his music brings life and renewal wherever it is heard.
The central tension lies in the dual nature of music's effect. While it can foster growth and create "lasting spring," it also possesses the power to silence all other sounds and sensations. The "billows of the sea" are stilled, and the ultimate effect is described as "killing care and grief of heart," leading to either sleep or death. This suggests that the overwhelming beauty or power of Fletcher's music can be so absolute that it erases all other experience.
The most striking craft element is the personification of nature responding to the lute. Mountains "bow themselves," and the sea's waves "hung their heads." This elevates Fletcher's music beyond mere sound; it becomes an active force capable of altering the physical world. The final lines, "Fall asleep, or, hearing, die," offer a stark, almost chilling conclusion to the otherwise idyllic descriptions, highlighting the extreme potency of his art.
These lyrics are effective because they use grand, almost divine imagery to describe the impact of music. The poem suggests that Fletcher's skill is not just impressive, but transformative, capable of bringing life and silencing all troubles, albeit with a hint of dangerous finality. The contrast between the vibrant growth and the ultimate stillness underscores the profound, almost overwhelming power attributed to his musical talent.
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