Literary Concepts of Concord Hymn

The details in “Concord Hymn” really give great image of the characters and setting of this time period. The poem exalts a general spirit of revolution and freedom. “Concord Hymn” was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and was originally sung at the completion of the Battle Monument known at the Old North Bridge. The monument is also known as Obelisk and is believed to the country’s first memorial to its war casualties. The first stanza is the key to the poem: 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 (Roberts and Zweig, 891). Emerson knows the outcome and can describe in detail the emotions around the War. “By the rude Bridge that arched the flood” lets readers know that the author is describing the bridge as one that is very basic and simply structured and positioned over the Concord River which was at its highest level in April. “Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled” lets us know clearly that this occurred in April and the wind was blowing. The "Embattled farmers" refers to the men, which consisted of townsfolk and where not part of any regular army.

The shot heard' round the world" refers to the fact that the American Revolution inspired not just Americans, but inspired people all over the world to fight against injustice The second stanza which follows gives detail as to the participants in the War whom are dead: 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 (Roberts and Zweig, 891). In stanza two the poem is stating that the participants on both sides of the battle have long been deceased described as “sleep” which is a common metaphor for dead.

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The reader also learns in stanza two the bridge was ruined and swept down the Concord River. (PoertyFoundation, 2013) The following stanza is details of the monument being placed in Concord, Massachusetts: On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone (Roberts and Zweig, 891&892). “Votive stone” is the Obelisk Monument that was placed by the Concord River as a memory of all the people whom fought and died in the Battle of Concord. The town of Concord is now a popular attraction for both history and literature.

The last stanza of the poem which follows the readers can see this Battale was about freedom: Spirit, that made those spirits dare To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee (Roberts and Zweig, 892). Emerson writes about the spirits, noting that there were deaths involved, leaving behind family but doing so for their families to now be free. The remembrance flag that is being raised is to honor those who have gone and also to remind those who are now left to carry on never forgetting the history of these brave Americans and what happened that day.

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