More Shakespeare I’m afraid.

Florence Welch. When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes (Sonnet 29)

Skylark birdsong

When I first read, or more accurately heard this sonnet my admiration for Shakespeare grew as I could have sworn he knew me when writing this.

Although his language is old English which can take a little understanding the story contained within these few lines is remarkable.

This is my interpretation of which Im sure others will say is incorrect.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state

How I look and see others who all seem to know whats going on but I am on the outside.

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

My pleas to heaven seem to go unanswered and so I consider myself of little worth.

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d,

I look at this person or that person and wish I could be more like them, popular, lots of friends.

Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;

Looking at how others are talented and clever but the things they like and do don’t interest me at all.

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

And when I think about all of these things I start to feel low and miserable.

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

Like to the lark at break of day arising

But then I realise my good fortune in knowing someone like you and my heart bursts with joy and my spirits rise to the heavens.

For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

When I see and remember your love for me I know I am the richest person in the world and I know I would never exchange what I have for all the wealth of kings.

Below is the complete sonnet without my interpretation and after that is Florence Welch singing the most wonderful interpretation. I really like the way her voice soars as she sings the line ‘Like to the Lark at break of day’.

A Lark or Skylark for those who didn’t know is a small bird, alas becoming rarer in the UK that soars high into the sky singing its delicate song.

I have put a recording of a Skylark at the end of this blog page.