I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls
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Jump to navigationJump to search- A song by M. W. Balfe (1808-1870), used on Page 449 in mutilated form: "I'll dreamt that I'll dwealth mid warblers' walls when throstles and choughs to my sigh hiehied." This song is also sung in Dubliners. By intermingling his allusions to birds and song, Joyce was mimicking the effect of birdsong. Species used here include:
- throstle: a species of Old World thrush, especially a song thrush
- warbler: any of various songbirds, of the family Parulidae in the New World and the family Silviidae in the Old World
- chough: a crow-like Old World species of the family Corvidae.
- The song is also echoed in the line "When you dreamt that you'd wealth in marble arch" on Page 264.
I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls, With vassals and serfs at my side, And of all who assembled within those walls, That I was the hope and the pride. I had riches too great to count Could boast of a high ancestral name; But I also dreamt, which pleased me most, That you lov'd me still the same That you lov'd me, you lov'd me still the same, That you lov'd me, you lov'd me still the same. I dreamt that suitors sought my hand; That knights upon bended knee, And with vows no maiden heart could withstand They pledg'd their faith to me; And I dreamt that one of that noble host Came forth my hand to claim. But I also dreamt, which pleased me most, That you lov'd me still the same That you lov'd me, you lov'd me still the same, That you lov'd me, you lov'd me still the same.