Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of a formative, perhaps deceptive, stage of learning and self-improvement. The narrator describes a period of "play[ing] at paste," suggesting a time of practicing with imitations or less valuable materials before achieving true worth. This initial phase is framed as a necessary precursor, a training ground where "our new hands / Learned gem-tactics / Practising sands." The imagery of practicing with sand implies honing skills through trial and error, using readily available but ultimately worthless substitutes for the real thing.
The central tension arises from the transition from this imitative stage to one of perceived value, marked by the phrase "Till qualified for pearl." Upon reaching this supposed level of achievement, the narrator immediately "drop[s] the paste / And deem[s] ourself a fool." This suggests a profound disillusionment; the attainment of the "pearl" doesn't bring satisfaction but rather a realization of the foolishness of the prior efforts, or perhaps the superficiality of the "pearl" itself.
The most striking craft element is the stark contrast between "paste" and "pearl," representing imitation versus genuine value, or perhaps perceived value versus actual worth. The repeated action of "play[ing] at paste" and then discarding it highlights a cycle of striving and subsequent self-recrimination. The final lines, "The shapes, though, were similar, / And our new hands / Learned gem-tactics / Practising sands," offer a subtle counterpoint, hinting that even the imitation stage held genuine lessons, developing the dexterity and understanding needed for future endeavors, even if the initial materials were false.
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