First Song
Harmony of Youth: A Cornstalk Symphony in Illinois Dusk
Lyrics
Then it was dust in Illinois
Refers to dust in Illinois, setting the scene for the narrative.
a small boy
Introduction of a small boy, the central character.
After an afternoon of carting
Describes an afternoon of labor involving carting dung.
dung hung
Emphasizes the dung hanging, possibly indicating a tiring task.
On a rail fence
Visual imagery of dung on a rail fence.
a sapped thing
Introduces a sapped thing, suggesting fatigue or exhaustion.
weary to cry
Describes weariness and the potential reluctance to cry.
Dark was growing tall
Transition to darkness growing tall, setting the evening scene.
He began to hear the pond frogs
The boy starts hearing pond frogs, signaling a change in atmosphere.
All calling on his ear
Frogs are calling on the boy's ear, introducing a natural element.
They were calling on his ear
Repetition of frogs calling, emphasizing their impact on the boy.
with what seemed their joy
Suggests that the frogs' calls convey joy to the boy.
Soon the sound was pleasent for a boy
The frog sounds become pleasant, enhancing the boy's experience.
listening in the smoky dusk and the nightfall of illinois
Describes the setting of smoky dusk and nightfall in Illinois.
and from the fields
Small boys come from the fields, introducing new characters.
two small boys came
Two small boys appear, carrying cornstalk violins.
bearing cornstalk violins
Highlights the arrival of the boys with musical instruments.
So they rubbed their cornstalk bows with resins
Boys use resin on their cornstalk bows, preparing to play music.
and the three just sat there
The three individuals sit together, creating a communal scene.
scraping of the joy, of the joy
Describes the scraping of joy, possibly referring to the musical performance.
They're scraping of the joy
Repetition of the scraping of joy, emphasizing its significance.
It was now fine music
Now, the music becomes fine, indicating an improvement in quality.
The frogs and thre boys did
Frogs and boys contribute to the musical experience.
In the towering illinois twilight
Setting is the towering Illinois twilight.
make and into dark
Music continues into the dark, overcoming challenges.
In spite of a shoulders ache
Despite physical strain, the joy of music prevails.
a boys hunched body
Description of a boy's hunched body, possibly from playing the instrument.
loved out of stalk
Love expressed out of stalk, suggesting a genuine emotional connection.
The first song of his happiness
Introduction of the first song of the boy's happiness.
and the song woke his heart
The song awakens the boy's heart, indicating its emotional impact.
into the darkness and saddness
Music transcends darkness and sadness, bringing joy.
and joy
Reiteration of the theme of joy, completing the narrative.
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