Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 38: A Swing Song

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rachel


Swing, swing,

Sing, sing,

Here's my throne, and I am a King!

Swing, sing,

Swing, sing,

Farewell earth, for I'm on the wing!



Low, high,

Here I fly,

Like a bird through sunny sky;

Free, free,

Over the lea,

Over the mountain, over the sea!



Up, down,

Up and down,

Which is the way to London Town?

Where, where?

Up in the air,

Close your eyes, and now you are there!



Soon, soon,

Afternoon,

Over the sunset, over the moon;

Far, far,

Over all bar,

Sweeping on from star to star!



No, no,

Low, low,

Sweeping daisies with my toe.

Slow, slow,

To and fro,

-Slow

---slow

------slow

----------slow.

    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 38: A Swing Song

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rachel

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The poem describes the actions and sensations of swinging.

Vocabulary

Throne: A ceremonial chair for a sovereign, bishop, or similar figure.
Farewell: Used to express good wishes on parting.
Lea: An open area of grassy or arable land.
London: The capital city of the country of England.
Sweep: A long, swift, curving movement.
To and Fro: Back and forth.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Companion Painting

  • Study the painting below, and describe it in your own words.

Find the following in the companion painting:

  • Ropes
  • Swing Seat
  • Lady
  • Two Men
  • Putti Statue with Finger to His Lips
  • Statue with Two Putti
  • Tree
  • Flowers
  • Shoe on a Foot
  • Shoe in the Air
  • Small White Yipping Dog (bottom right near older man's right foot)

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to each verse of the poem, narrate the verse events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 41 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 3

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'A Swing Song.'
1 / 3

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 3

Answer 2

The poem describes the actions and sensations of swinging.
2 / 3

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?
3 / 3

Answer 3

The narrator, who is swinging.
3 / 3

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'A Swing Song.'
  2. What happens in the poem? The poem describes the actions and sensations of swinging.
  3. Who are the characters in the poem? The narrator, who is swinging.