The Tyger
Eternal Flames: Decoding Elsmore Carey's 'The Tyger'
Lyrics
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
Addressing the tiger, expressing awe and intensity.
In the forests of the night;
Locating the tiger in the mysterious realm of the night.
What immortal hand or eye,
Pondering the divine origin responsible for creating the tiger's symmetrical and fearsome form.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Raising the question of the creator's ability to conceive such fearful symmetry.
In what distant deeps or skies.
Questioning the distant origin of the fire in the tiger's eyes.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
Seeking the source of the fiery inspiration and daring nature of the tiger.
On what wings dare he aspire?
Challenging the daring wings that carry the creator who aspires to mold the tiger.
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
Asking about the hand bold enough to seize the metaphorical fire of creation.
And what shoulder, & what art,
Questioning the shoulder and artistic skill required to shape the tiger's heart.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
Contemplating the strength needed to twist the sinews (tendons) of the tiger's heart.
And when thy heart began to beat,
Reflecting on the moment the tiger's heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
Asking about the dread hand and feet associated with the tiger's creation.
What the hammer? what the chain,
Questioning the tools (hammer, chain) used in forging the tiger's brain.
In what furnace was thy brain?
Asking about the furnace where the tiger's brain was formed.
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Questioning the anvil and dread grasp involved in shaping the tiger.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!
Challenging the deadly terrors associated with the tiger's grasp.
When the stars threw down their spears
Describing a cosmic event where stars cast down their spears and weep over the creation of the tiger.
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Depicting a celestial event of watering heaven with stars' tears.
Did he smile his work to see?
Questioning whether the creator smiled upon seeing the completed tiger.
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Raising the question of whether the same creator who made the innocent lamb also made the fierce tiger.
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
Repetition of the initial awe-struck address to the tiger.
In the forests of the night:
Reiteration of the tiger's nocturnal habitat and bright burning presence.
What immortal hand or eye,
Restating the query about the immortal creator framing the tiger's fearful symmetry.
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Repeating the central question regarding the origin of the tiger's fearful symmetry.
Comment