The splendour falls on castle walls
And snowy summits old in story:
The long light shakes across the lakes,
And the wild cataract leaps in glory.
Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying,
Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.

O hark, O hear! how thin and clear,
And thinner, clearer, farther going!
O sweet and far from cliff and scar
The horns of Elfland faintly blowing!
Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying:
Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.

O love, they die in yon rich sky,
They faint on hill or field or river:
Our echoes roll from soul to soul,
And grow for ever and for ever.
Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying,
And answer, echoes, answer, dying, dying, dying.

“Blow, Bugle, Blow”: The opening line serves as a command or a call to action. The bugle is a musical instrument often associated with military or ceremonial signaling. Here, it symbolizes a call to awaken or announce something significant.

“The splendour falls on castle walls”: The poet describes a scene where the brilliance of natural beauty, symbolized by “splendour,” is reflected on the walls of a castle. This imagery evokes a sense of grandeur and magnificence.

“And snowy summits old in story”: The mention of snowy mountain peaks suggests a majestic and ancient landscape that has tales and legends associated with it.

“The long light shakes across the lakes”: The extended sunlight causes a shimmering effect on the lakes, creating a vivid visual image of light playing on the water.

“And the wild cataract leaps in glory”: The cataract, or waterfall, is described as leaping in glory, emphasizing its wild and energetic nature.

“Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying”: The repetition of the command to blow the bugle reinforces the idea of initiating a powerful and resonant sound. The echoes represent the reverberation of this sound in the natural surroundings.

“Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying”: The bugle’s call is met by echoes that gradually diminish, creating a sense of fading away or dying, contributing to the theme of transience.

“O hark, O hear! how thin and clear,”: The poet encourages the reader or listener to pay close attention to the faint and clear sounds, creating an atmosphere of delicate beauty.

“And thinner, clearer, farther going!”: The sounds become even more delicate, clear, and distant, emphasizing their ethereal and otherworldly quality.

“O sweet and far from cliff and scar”: The sweetness of the distant sounds, possibly the mystical horns of Elfland, is contrasted with the ruggedness of cliffs and scars.

“The horns of Elfland faintly blowing!”: Introduces a magical and fantastical element with the mention of Elfland and its horns, creating an enchanting and mysterious atmosphere.

“Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying”: The call for the bugle to blow again, seeking a response from the echoes in the purple glens (valleys), adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem.

“Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying”: Reiterating the call for the bugle and emphasizing the gradual fading away of the echoes, reinforcing the theme of impermanence.

“O love, they die in yon rich sky,”: The mention of love fading away in the distant, rich sky suggests a romantic or emotional element, adding depth to the poem.

“They faint on hill or field or river”: Love weakens and diminishes, whether on the hill, field, or river, further exploring the theme of love’s fragility.

“Our echoes roll from soul to soul,”: The echoes of love resonate and travel from one soul to another, suggesting a connection between individuals on a deeper, spiritual level.

“And grow for ever and for ever.”: Despite the fading echoes and the transient nature of love, the poet asserts that love continues to grow eternally, emphasizing its enduring quality.

“Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying,”: The final call for the bugle to blow once more, reviving the wild echoes and bringing the poem full circle.

“And answer, echoes, answer, dying, dying, dying.”: Urges the echoes to respond even as they gradually fade away, highlighting the inevitable and cyclical nature of sound and life, and the idea that even in decay, there is a response or an echo that lingers.

“Blow, Bugle, Blow” by Alfred Lord Tennyson Summary

“Blow, Bugle, Blow” by Alfred Lord Tennyson Analysis