The Swing
“The Swing” is a famous poem by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson from his poetry collection named A Child’s Garden of Verses, first appeared in 1885 under the title Penny Whistles which contain around 65 poems.
It’s rare to find a child who doesn’t like to swing and also it’s not just because of fun only. The poem begins with the question to the listener how much they like to go up in a swing, and after this the later are the explanations given by the child that how pleasant thing the swinging is.
“The Swing” Poem Lyrics
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
There is nothing else that brings more pleasure than the freedom of flying on a swing. When the child swing up in the air they can see “so wide”, “over the wall”, “all over the countryside” where they can see “Rivers and trees and cattle.” It is a wild natural imagination of the poet about what a child can see from the swing up in the air, and then as swing starts to come down they look down the “green garden” and “brown roof”.
So, “The Swing” poem gives us a great remembrance of our childhood and countless afternoons spent playing with the joy of swinging.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) based on 'The Swing'
Answer : The poem was written by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Answer : The “The Swing” poem was published in 1885.
Answer : The poem was published in poetry collection named A Child’s Garden of Verses under the title Penny Whistles which contain around 65 poems.
Answer : “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a simple profession of love for the joys of swinging told from the perspective by a young speaker. The poem begins with the speaker asking the listener how much they like to swing up into the blue air. This poem is all about the experience of a child about swing. It’s all about the child is feeling on swing, the things they can see from the swing, how the things are looking from a swing.
Answer : The child sees the green garden and a house with a brown roof when the swing comes down. The child sees the river, tree and cattle when up in the air and over the wall.
Answer : As infants like enjoy a gentle rocking motion, young children tend to enjoy gentle swinging motions to help them relax and fall asleep faster. A child feels very nice in the swing as an small kid.
Answer : It is a wild natural imagination of the poet about what a child can see from a swing up in the air. When the child swing up in the air they can see “so wide”, “over the wall”, “all over the countryside” where they can see “Rivers and trees and cattle.”
Some more details based on 'The Swing'
“The Swing” is a poem that captures the carefree spirit of childhood and the joy of playing on a swing. The speaker in the poem describes the exhilaration of being on a swing and the sense of freedom it brings. The poem is written in a simple and playful style, which makes it accessible to readers of all ages.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene of a young girl on a swing, flying through the air with joy and abandon. Stevenson’s use of vivid and descriptive language creates a picture of the girl swinging high into the sky, “Up in the air so blue?” The poem goes on to describe the sensations the girl feels as she swings back and forth, “Till I look down on the garden green, / Down on the roof so brown.“
One of the main characteristics of the poem is its use of sensory imagery. Stevenson uses language that appeals to the senses, such as the sights, sounds, and sensations of swinging. For example, he writes, “How do you like to go up in a swing, / Up in the air so blue?” Here, the reader can almost feel the rush of wind as the girl swings higher and higher into the sky.
Another feature of the poem is its focus on the simple pleasures of childhood. The poem celebrates the freedom and joy of playing on a swing, something that many of us have experienced and can relate to. Stevenson writes, “Till I look down on the garden green, / Down on the roof so brown.” Here, the speaker is relishing in the simple pleasure of swinging and enjoying the view from up high.
Some activities for children's based on 'The Swing'
- Make Your Own Swing: This activity allows children to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build their own swings. To get started, provide the children with materials like ropes, cardboard, and fabric. Encourage them to work together and help each other to build their swings. Once the swings are built, let the children take turns swinging on them. You can also create a “swing park” area where the children can swing and play together.
Note: This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and physical activity. It also provides an opportunity for children to practice cooperation and communication skills while working together to build their swings.
- Swinging Relay Race: This activity is a fun and engaging way to promote physical activity and teamwork. To get started, divide the children into teams and have them compete in a relay race. Each team member has to swing on a swing and then tag the next team member to continue the race. The team that completes the race first wins a prize.
Note: This activity promotes physical activity, teamwork, and friendly competition. It also provides an opportunity for children to practice their gross motor skills while swinging on the swings. You can also use this activity to teach children about sportsmanship and the importance of working together as a team.
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