Comments on: “Kathleen Mavourneen”

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:51:39 +0000

We always referred to our measurements as our “numbers” I think it means her spell surrounds her.

By: Peter Berry

Peter Berry — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 15:07:05 +0000

Hi, I think numbers mean her age or years.
On thy numbers–On thy age–On thy years.

By: David

David — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:19:59 +0000

I’ll add a couple of unfounded shots in the dark.

1. Since the line is preceded by “sun” and followed by “star”, going with the theme of orbs, it could be a reference to her eyes. The 2D version of spheres, ocular or celestial, being circles. Or zeroes…numbers. The preceding line specifically pointing out the view which she is missing adds a touch of weight to this theory as well.

2. As an alternative theory, fingers are also called digits. And digits also mean numbers. Adding to this theory is that casting a spell is often associated with wiggling ones fingers or hand-waving.

Closed eyes and still hands both seem to fit the character of the song.

By: Harry Newman

Harry Newman — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:46:18 +0000

I believe that “numbers” was an old medical term used to describe the bones in the skeleton. So, “frame’ or “body” would be a synonym.

By: B. G. Berg

B. G. Berg — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:22:03 +0000

Am I missing something? It seems pretty obvious that the singer is standing at Kathleen’s grave, in tears because she (obviously) can’t answer him. It “may be for years and it may be forever” before he can visit her grave again. “Where is the spell that once hung on thy numbers” is his way of lamenting her lost beauty, now gone forever. It is really hard for me to believe there could be a popular song about a man bidding a tearful farewell to a women who prefers to sleep in rather than see him!

By: admin

admin — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:46:32 +0000

Bingo. I think you’re right. Thanks.

By: Herb Reeves

Herb Reeves — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:00:02 +0000

Longfellow uses “numbers” famously in “The Psalm of Life” to refer to the verse, or poem, itself:

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

I think it’s clear that “numbers” is a figure of speech where a characteristic, or part, of something stands for the whole (synecdoche? I think). In this case, the verses of the song.

He’s saying that the spell that her song once cast is gone. John Ciardi pointed this out in a 1966 column written for the (much missed) Saturday Review citing the 15th definition of numbers in Webster’s Unabridged:

15. Poetry & Music. a. Regular count of syllables or beats, esp. with alternation of accents. b. pI. Metrical, esp. syllabic, verses or measures; hence, verses or verse.
means the poetic verse . . .

By: Gary Smith

Gary Smith — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:14:56 +0000

“Where is the spell that once hung on thy numbers” to me sounds like “enchantment of youth”. “Where is the innocent little girl I used to know?” In reference to since the speaker must now go to war, Kathleen has to suddenly grow up and face the horrors of a loved one going off to war.