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The Day is Done. By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The day is done, and the darkness. Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward. From an eagle in his flight. I see the lights of the village. Gleam through the rain and the mist, And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me.
Apr 30, 2006 · Video for 'Day is Done' from Nick Drake's legendary first album 'Five Leaves Left'
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Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupDay Is Done · Nick DrakeFive Leaves Left℗ 1969 Island Records Ltd.Released on: 1970-01-01Associated Performer, V...
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- Stanza One
- Stanza Two
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- Stanza Five
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- Stanza Seven
- Stanza Eight
- Stanza Nine
- Stanza Ten
The speaker begins ‘The Day is Done’ with the first of a number of metaphorsthat will be utilized throughout the text. He describes the coming of the night as falling from the sky like “feathers” which “waft” down from “an eagle in his flight.” It comes on softly. There are no sudden changes or transformations. The speaker sees it as something beau...
In the next section, the speaker moves on to describe the “lights of the village.” They are showing through the rain and adding to the beauty of the waning light. He can see the “Gleam” of the town through the “mist” and “rain.” The sight of the village in the near distance takes the speaker to a solemn place. He is overcome with a “feeling of sadn...
The “feeling” which has taken over the speaker’s soul is further described in this section. It is a mood of“sadness” and “longing” he is experiencing, but he makes sure to tell the reader that it is not anywhere close to being “pain.” His emotions are described as “resembl[ing] sorrow” just like the “mist resembles the rain.” The speaker’s choice t...
The speaker’s narration in the fourth stanza takes a turn. He is now directly speaking to his intended listener, asking that she or he come to him and “read…some poem.” The narrator is seeking a series of new emotions. He wants to develop apeaceful space around him and improve his general mood. The speaker does not want the listener to read him som...
The fifth stanza narrows down the range of poetry the speaker is seeking out. He asks that one does not bring him a “lay” by the “grand old master.” He is also not looking for a heroic poem written by the “bards sublime.” The relevance of these types of poets is not lost on the speaker, he knows everything they have to offer. He does not want to ha...
The speaker continues into the second half of the poem by stating that these types of poetry, which were mentioned in the previous stanza, do not appeal to him at the moment for one specific reason. They are always “suggest[ing] / Life’s endless toil and endeavor.” He has experienced enough of these emotions during his day, he does not need any mor...
In the next stanza of ‘The Day is Done’, the speaker describes how it is the work of a “humbler poet” he is looking for. This person will have written songs which seen to “gush” from “his heart.” Their work will be passionate and honest. The writings of this ideal poet will rain down on the speaker like “showers from the clouds of summer.” He also ...
The poet of whom he speaks will have been able to penetrate through the “long days of labor.” This person will not have been changed, at least not irreparably by the struggles of life. Although “he” will have experienced “nights,” just like the speaker does, “devoid of ease,” his work will ascend that fact. The speaker’s ideal writer will have “hea...
The poem begins to draw towards its conclusion in the next two stanzas. The speaker wants to make clear to the reader the reasons why this type of poetry is appealing to him. It is songs such as those he is thinking of, which have the “power to quiet / The restless pulse of care.” He is seeking out words that will soothe and reinvigorate him. The s...
The second to last stanza reaffirms the speaker’s desire. He has fully outlined what he wants from his intended listener and now turns the choice over to him/her. This person now has the responsibility to find a “poem of thy choice” which adheres to his previously described needs. It is not just the poetry that the speaker is seeking out. He needs ...
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- October 9, 1995
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The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in his flight. I see the lights of the village Gleam through the rain and the mist, And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me, That my soul cannot resist: A feeling of sadness and longing, That is not akin to pain, And resembles sorrow ...
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Day Is Done Lyrics: When the day is done / Down to earth, then, sinks the sun / Along with everything that was lost and won / When the day is done / When the day is done / Hope so much your...
