Song Meaning

The narrator ventures into the hazel wood, driven by an inner urgency, to craft a hazel wand and bait a hook with a berry. This initial act, performed under a sky alive with "moth-like stars," leads to an unexpected catch: a "little silver trout." The scene is set with a tangible, almost ritualistic quality, suggesting a quest for something more profound than mere sport. The encounter shifts dramatically when the narrator attempts to rekindle a "fire a-flame," only to be interrupted by a mysterious presence. This "glimmering girl," adorned with "apple blossom," calls the narrator's name before vanishing into the "brightening air." This ephemeral figure, born from the mundane act of fishing, represents an idealized, perhaps unattainable, vision that instantly captivates the narrator. The lyrics reveal a profound, lifelong yearning. Even "old with wandering," the narrator remains committed to pursuing this elusive vision, vowing to "find out where she has gone." The pursuit is framed not as a fleeting fancy but as an enduring purpose, a quest for an ultimate union symbolized by the "silver apples of the moon" and "golden apples of the sun."