Song Meaning
The speaker recalls the initial moments of a declared love, a moment marked by an oath of devotion. Yet, instead of embracing this new commitment, the narrator immediately fixates on the moon, a symbol of change and transience, as if anticipating the end of these bonds that felt too hastily formed. This immediate desire for release suggests a deep-seated insecurity about the permanence of love and their own worthiness of it.
The central tension arises from the speaker's self-doubt, contrasting the perceived strength of the lover's oath with their own perceived inadequacy. They see themselves not as a fit recipient for such profound affection, but as a "worn viol," an instrument out of tune that would only mar a beautiful song. This self-deprecation is stark, highlighting a fear that their own flaws will inevitably spoil the nascent harmony of the relationship.
The most striking craft element is the extended metaphor of the viol. The speaker’s self-comparison to a "worn viol" that a "good singer would be wroth / To spoil his song with" vividly illustrates their feeling of being fundamentally flawed and incapable of sustaining the beauty of their lover's devotion. This image is potent, conveying a sense of being damaged goods, unsuited for the delicate art of love.
Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they capture the paralyzing effect of self-doubt on love's beginning. The speaker’s fear isn't that the lover's feelings will fade, but that their own perceived imperfections will be the cause of ruin. The final lines offer a complex twist, suggesting that even damaged instruments can produce beauty under skilled hands, hinting at a fragile hope that their own perceived flaws might not be insurmountable, yet the initial self-condemnation leaves a powerful, lingering impression.
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