'Song (When I am dead, my dearest)' - Synopsis and commentary

Synopsis

The speaker of Song looks forward to his/her own death and instructs a lover or friend not to mourn or sing ‘sad songs' (line 2) once s/he is gone.

Commentary

Publication

Rossetti composed Song (When I am dead, my dearest) in 1848. It was first published in Goblin Market and Other Poems. Subsequently, it has appeared in various collections and has been given numerous musical settings.

Language and music

Rossetti's interest in combining language with music becomes apparent when we consider that:

• Ten of her poems are entitled Song
• Several begin with the word ‘Songs'
• Many are composed of a song-like structure and rhythm.

Relationships

In Song, the speaker urges his/her ‘dearest' not to let the memory of the speaker get in the way of living his or her own life. S/he declares that his/her happiness in death does not depend on anyone else.

The word ‘haply' comes from the phrase ‘by hap' which means by chance or accident or perhaps. By saying that once dead, ‘haply' s/he ‘may remember' or ‘haply may forget' (lines 15-16) the pain of living on the earth, s/he indicates that it matters little whether others remember or forget the speaker. Rather than being a pre-mediated decision, s/he suggests that remembrance is a matter of chance.

Nature

In Song, Rossetti has her speaker combine the anticipation of death with the ongoing life of nature. S/he looks forward to a time when the ‘green grass' will grow above him/her and the ‘showers and dewdrops wet' will offer protection and the lover some comfort (lines 5, 6).

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