Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writes about Christian virtues in his poem “The Singers.” He explains that God sent his singers with messages that will touch the hearts of men.
Using a lyre as his instrument, the first singer is young and full of energy, wandering freely with youthful exuberance. His charming music speaks of living the life of your dreams.
The second singer is middle-aged as indicated by his “bearded face.” He sings in a more...
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writes about Christian virtues in his poem “The Singers.” He explains that God sent his singers with messages that will touch the hearts of men.
Using a lyre as his instrument, the first singer is young and full of energy, wandering freely with youthful exuberance. His charming music speaks of living the life of your dreams.
The second singer is middle-aged as indicated by his “bearded face.” He sings in a more settled place, the marketplace. In his second stage of life, this singer brings strength.
Finally, the third singer is a wise, older man whose job it is to teach. The poem tells us that he is in a cathedral where the organ plays.
When people squabble over which singer is the most relevant, God speaks and tells them that each singer has a purpose. The youth is sent to “charm.” The middle-aged singer’s job is to “strengthen” and the third is sent to “teach.”
But the great Master said, "I see
No best in kind, but in degree;
I gave a various gift to each,
To charm, to strengthen, and to teach."
The poem alludes to singers creating perfect harmony with their voices and musical accompaniment. In the final stanza, Longfellow has God explain the importance of all three messages to create “perfect harmony.”
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