quote · Legacy record
In my dreams I dreamt Of a coral reef— Far away, far, far away, Where seas were lulled and calm, A place of silver sand. Truly a lovely land, Truly a lovely dream, Truly a peaceful scene— When, like a flash, through all the sea There shone a gleam. Rising like Venus from her wat’ry bed Rose a young mermaid with her hair unkempt, Beautiful hair! light as a golden leaf, Shining like Phoebus at the break of day. And she tossed and shook her lovely head, Shook off drops more precious, far, than pearls. To a coral rock she slowly went, Slowly floated like a graceful swan; Combed her hair that hung in yellow curls Till the evening shadows ’gan to fall; Then she gave one look round, that was all, Rose—and then, her figure curved, arms bent Above her head—a flash! and she was gone; And ripples in wide circles rise and fall, Spreading and spreading still, where she has been.
In my dreams I dreamt Of a coral reef— Far away, far, far away, Where seas were lulled and calm, A place of silver sand. Truly a lovely land, Truly a lovely dream, Truly a peaceful scene— When, like a flash, through all the sea There shone a gleam. Rising like Venus from her wat’ry bed Rose a young mermaid with her hair unkempt, Beautiful hair! light as a golden leaf, Shining like Phoebus at the break of day. And she tossed and shook her lovely head, Shook off drops more precious, far, than pearls. To a coral rock she slowly went, Slowly floated like a graceful swan; Combed her hair that hung in yellow curls Till the evening shadows ’gan to fall; Then she gave one look round, that was all, Rose—and then, her figure curved, arms bent Above her head—a flash! and she was gone; And ripples in wide circles rise and fall, Spreading and spreading still, where she has been.
In print by 1921 AD · modern
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Betty Bray (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1921 AD · modern
In print by 1921: recorded in My Commonplace Book (third English edition,1921). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- My Commonplace Book (third English edition,1921) (1921 AD)
Page 153 · printed citation: Betty Bray, January 1918. Aged 11. · compiler notes excluded
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.