"A LETTER" AND "CONCORD HYMN" POEMS BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON
"A Letter" Poem
Dear brother, would you know the life,
Please God, that I would lead?
On the first wheels that quit this weary town
Over yon western bridges I would ride
And with a cheerful benison forsake
Each street and spire and roof incontinent.
Then would I seek where God might guide my steps,
Deep in a woodland tract, a sunny farm,
Amid the mountain counties, Hant, Franklin, Berks,
Where down the rock ravine a river roars,
Even from a brook, and where old woods
Not tamed and cleared cumber the ground
With their centennial wrecks.
Find me a slope where I can feel the sun
And mark the rising of the early stars.
There will I bring my books, — my household gods,
The reliquaries of my dead saint, and dwell
In the sweet odor of her memory.
Then in the uncouth solitude unlock
My stock of art, plant dials in the grass,
Hang in the air a bright thermometer
And aim a telescope at the inviolate sun.
"A Letter": Be Yourself, Be Brave
"A Letter" is totally different—it’s more personal, like a note from Emerson to a friend or even to himself. This poem is about how to live your life every day. Emerson believed in something called transcendentalism, which is a fancy word for trusting your own thoughts and loving nature and people. Don’t worry, it just means being yourself! In the poem, he says, "Dare to be true", which is like telling you to be honest and real, even if others don’t get it. He also reminds us that life is short, so we should be kind and brave.
The tone here is friendly, like a wise teacher giving advice. One powerful line is, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind", which means the most important thing is staying true to what you believe. Unlike "Concord Hymn," which is about a big event, "A Letter" is about quiet courage—like standing up for yourself in little ways every day. It’s simple and short, making it feel like a warm pep talk.
"Concord Hymn" Poem
Sung at the completion of the Battle Monument, July 4, 1837
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
Concord Hymn: A Song for Brave Farmers
"Concord Hymn" is a poem Emerson wrote to honor a huge moment in history—the Battle of Concord in 1775, which helped start the American Revolution. Imagine a group of regular farmers standing up to a powerful army. That’s what this poem is about! Emerson calls it a "hymn" because it’s like a song of praise for those brave people. One famous line is "the shot heard round the world", which means this battle was so important that everyone, everywhere, paid attention. It was like the first big boom of freedom!
Emerson paints a picture with words. He talks about a "rude bridge"—not rude like mean, but rough and simple—where the fight began. He also mentions "embattled farmers", showing us these weren’t trained soldiers, just everyday people who decided to be heroes. The poem has a calm, respectful tone, like when you’re quietly thanking someone. He uses nature too, like the "stream" and "April breeze", to show how time moves on, but the memory of that day stays alive. The poem is short, with four stanzas, but every line makes you feel proud of those farmers. It’s like Emerson is saying, “Look at what ordinary people can do when they’re brave!” Think of it as a superhero story, but with real people.
What Ties Them Together?
Even though "Concord Hymn" is about a battle and "A Letter" is about personal thoughts, both poems celebrate freedom. In "Concord Hymn," it’s the freedom of a country, won by brave farmers. In "A Letter," it’s the freedom to be yourself, no matter what. Emerson uses easy words but packs them with big ideas, making us think about courage in different ways.
Final Thoughts
In "Concord Hymn", Emerson says, “Thank you” to the past heroes who fought for freedom. In "A Letter", he says, “Be a hero in your own life by being true.” Both poems are simple yet deep, like a guide for understanding life. Whether it’s a big battle or a small choice, Emerson’s words cheer us on to be brave!
