1st stanza
2nd stanza
3rd stanza
roam – home
shed – dead
sow – go
feet – street
kings – things
wait – fate
The 'wandering feet' referred to in this line belongs to the band of folk singers or wandering singers. These are the traveling musicians and performers who move from place to place, sharing their songs and stories with different communities. The phrase 'wandering feet' emphasizes their constant movement and journey as they follow the call of the wind and travel across the land. It symbolizes their nomadic lifestyle and their dedication to their art of singing and performing.
The 'we' in this line refers to the wandering singers or the band of folk singers who are the speakers in the poem. They have musical instruments called lutes in their hands. A lute is a stringed musical instrument that produces melodious sounds and is traditionally used by singers and musicians. The wandering singers consider all men in the world to be their kindred or extended family, showing their universal outlook and sense of belonging. For them, the world is their home, indicating that they do not belong to any single place but travel freely across different lands and communities, spreading their music and stories wherever they go.
- A. lying down
- B. stories
- C. to keep
b) stories
This line means that the songs sung by the wandering singers are about the laughter and beauty of women who lived long ago and are now dead. The singers preserve the memories and stories of these women through their music and performances. By singing about their laughter and beauty, the wandering singers keep the memory of these women alive and pass their stories to new generations. The line emphasizes how folk songs serve as a means of preserving history and cultural memory, allowing people from the past to be remembered and celebrated even after they have passed away.
Sarojini Naidu in this poem tells us about the wandering singers, their life, and their activities as well as their experiences. The wandering singers stroll here and there. They count the world as their home and all the people around are their inborn family and relatives. They hold ‘lutes’ in their hands and sing songs about ancient battles, old kings, and the beauty and laughter of women of the past.
Yes, the singers are homeless travellers. They do not have a permanent home or fixed place of residence. Instead, they travel continuously from one place to another in search of livelihood. They move around singing songs and performing for people in different villages and towns, earning their living through their music and performances. This nomadic lifestyle is their way of survival and sustenance.
No, the singers do not have hopes and dreams for a better future. This is because they are poor and homeless, living a life of constant struggle and hardship. Their poverty and lack of a permanent home make it difficult for them to aspire for better things in life. They are caught in a cycle of wandering and performing merely to survive day to day, leaving little room for them to dream of a brighter tomorrow or work towards meaningful goals.
The themes of the wandering singers' songs are diverse and rooted in the past. They sing about old battles and the exploits of ancient warriors, celebrating the heroic deeds of bygone eras. They also compose songs about old kings and their reigns, preserving historical memories through their music. Additionally, they sing about old cities and their grandeur, keeping alive the stories of places that once flourished. Their repertoire includes happy tales that bring joy to their audiences, simple stories that reflect everyday life and human experiences, and sorrowful tales that evoke deep emotions. Through these songs, the wandering singers keep alive the cultural heritage and memories of the old days, serving as living repositories of history and tradition for the communities they visit.
a. 'Our' refers to the wandering singers themselves. The pronoun is used to express the collective identity of these travelling musicians as they describe their lifestyle and journey. b. The singers wander to different places because they need to earn money for their livelihood. Since they are homeless and have no fixed occupation or permanent residence, they travel from place to place performing their songs and music to earn their daily bread and sustain themselves.
The wandering singers have lutes in their hands because the lute is their primary musical instrument. They use it to accompany their singing and create music as they perform. The lute is essential to their profession as musicians and performers, allowing them to produce melodies and harmonies that enhance their songs. Without the lute, they would not be able to perform effectively and earn their livelihood through music.
No, the wandering singers are not welcomed by the people. The line 'No love bids us tarry, no joy bids us wait' suggests that people do not show them affection or warmth. There is no love from the people that would encourage the singers to stay in one place, and there is no joy or happiness offered to them that would make them want to remain. This indicates that the singers are not valued or appreciated by the communities they visit, which is why they must keep moving from place to place without finding a warm reception or a reason to settle down.
No one can predict the direction of the wind. In the same way, the singers cannot predict the places they might visit.