"Water Ballad" is a short love poem composed by S.T. Coleridge. A Ballad is a poem that usually narrates a love tale. It is called "Water Ballad" because it involves a stream, a boatman and a young maiden who wants to go across the stream. She asks the boatman to carry her to the other side. When she tried to pay the boatman for his services he refused to accept it.
It was a gesture of good-will and love. She was pleased by polite behaviour of the sailor and told him to go on rowing for ever. In fact they ere both drew to each other by amorous feelings. The boat man asked her if he could hope to win her hand when she reaches the shore. It was an open proposal for life companionship. The young girl did not answer the question but urged him to go on rowing the boat as she wanted to have him by her side. In a way, she had accepted the offer and was wiling to make him a life partner.
The lovers were married soon and they started living together in the boat. The girl stopped wandering around and stayed all the time with her lover as he rowed the boat. They sang happy songs and did not care for any adversity of wind or weather. Apparently it is a simple romantic story of two lovers but it contains deeper meanings as well. The running water of stream is a symbol of time. The two lovers stand for mankind and the boat represents human life. All human beings get settled after passing through an experience of love., peace and harmony can only be achieved by love.
It was a gesture of good-will and love. She was pleased by polite behaviour of the sailor and told him to go on rowing for ever. In fact they ere both drew to each other by amorous feelings. The boat man asked her if he could hope to win her hand when she reaches the shore. It was an open proposal for life companionship. The young girl did not answer the question but urged him to go on rowing the boat as she wanted to have him by her side. In a way, she had accepted the offer and was wiling to make him a life partner.
The lovers were married soon and they started living together in the boat. The girl stopped wandering around and stayed all the time with her lover as he rowed the boat. They sang happy songs and did not care for any adversity of wind or weather. Apparently it is a simple romantic story of two lovers but it contains deeper meanings as well. The running water of stream is a symbol of time. The two lovers stand for mankind and the boat represents human life. All human beings get settled after passing through an experience of love., peace and harmony can only be achieved by love.