I’ve always loved this poem by Lord Byron, but for a long time assumed it was one of his later works, perhaps even written when he was ill and aware that his life might soon end. I was wrong! Byron was 29 when he wrote it in 1817, in a letter to his friend Thomas Moore, and he was recovering from Carnival and too many late nights. It’s actually a ‘hangover poem’. If he is making a pledge to stay home and have early nights, it is wistful one in tone.
So We’ll Go No More a Roving by Lord Byron
So, we’ll go no more a roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
And the moon be still as bright.
For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.
Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we’ll go no more a roving
By the light of the moon.
The poem was published by Thomas Moore after his friend’s death and has remained one of his most popular works. It was a reworking of an old Scots ballad. The poem is almost an elegy to the pleasures of youth, and a not quite embracing of maturity. There’s a hint of sexual adventures in the choice of such words as ‘sword’ and ‘sheath’, but no roistering background detail is given – in fact, the poem jumps right into the middle of the situation by starting with the word ‘So’.
If the poem was a pledge, it’s not a vow that was kept long. Byron still had plenty of roving to do in what remained of his short life.
Listen to Sir John Gielgud reading the poem:
And there’s a sung version by Joan Baez:
Did you enjoy this poem? Let me know by leaving a comment.
Selected links for relevant websites, books, movies, videos, and more. Some of these links lead to protected content on this website, learn more about that here.
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron & She Walks in Beauty
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron & So We’ll Go No More a Roving
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron & The Destruction of Sennacherib
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron is born
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron dissolves his marriage
Susannah Fullerton: Lord Byron proposes a literary challenge
Historic UK: Lord Byron
Poetry Foundation: Lord Byron
Poetry Foundation: So We’ll Go No More a Roving
Anne Williams
I’ve always liked this poem and I have never heard Joan Baez sing it before, loved her rendition.
Susannah Fullerton
Lovely, isn’t it!
Diana Paulin
Oh, yes, especially with Sir John Gielgud reading it. Wonderful.
Susannah Fullerton
He is always a superb reader of poetry.
Thea Whitnall
I also have loved this poem & am so happy to be reminded of it.
Books I received for Christmas are:
Apeirogon – Colum McCann
Lucy By The Sea – Elizabeth Strout
Faithless – Alice Nelson
Shrines of Gaiety – Kate Atkinson
Plenty to be going on with!
Best wishes.
Thea
Susannah Fullerton
Isn’t it a wonderful poem. Thanks for your other recommendations and Happy New Year.