Summary, Interpretation and Analysis of Dryden's Song for Saint Cecilia’s Day
--> The origin of music has always remained a mystery though it has always attracted man towards itself since the time immemorial. So myths and legends were born to justify the origination of music. Saint Cecilia was such a legendary figure of the second century, who was said to have established music as a divine art on earth. Though her connection with music is quite uncertain, there are legends of her attracting an angel down to earth by singing and she even came to be spoken of the inventor of the organ. Dryden wrote Song for Saint Cecilia’s Day for the performance with orchestra to celebrate the festival of Saint Cecilia’s Day in 1687. It is an interesting fact that the greatest English composer of the day Henry Purcel composed the music for the song. Saint Cecilia was a Christian figure, but while dealing with the theme, Dryden has drawn upon the pagan philosophical doctrine of Pythagoras to explain the power of music. The concluding chorus is, however, Christian in spi...