Siren Song
by William S. Burroughs
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skullsthe song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythicalwith these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This songis a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are uniqueat last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Understanding “Siren Song”
William S. Burroughs’s “Siren Song” offers a compelling and subversive take on the classic Greek myth of the Sirens. Rather than portraying them as simply dangerous creatures luring sailors to their deaths with beautiful voices, Burroughs gives the Siren a voice of her own. The poem explores themes of manipulation, performance, and the complicated position of women within mythological narratives. It is a poem about power, but also about the weariness that comes with wielding it. The Siren isn’t reveling in destruction; she is trapped by it. The poem quickly gained popularity because it challenged conventional views of the myth and presented a fresh, feminist perspective.
What is “Siren Song” About?
At its core, “Siren Song” is about a Siren confessing her dissatisfaction with her role. She acknowledges the power of her song to compel men to their doom, but she presents this power as a burden rather than a pleasure. The poem unravels the myth, showing that the Siren isn’t motivated by malice but by a desire to escape her circumstances. She is performing a role she despises and seeks someone to break the cycle. The central idea revolves around the deception inherent in the myth and the Siren’s longing for genuine connection and freedom.
Key Takeaways
- Mythological Roots: The poem reimagines the classic Greek myth of the Sirens, creatures who lured sailors to their deaths with irresistible songs.
- Subversion of Expectations: Burroughs flips the script by giving the Siren a voice and revealing her inner thoughts, challenging the traditional portrayal of the Siren as a purely malicious figure.
- Themes of Manipulation and Performance: The poem explores the ways in which individuals are forced to perform roles and manipulate others to achieve their goals.
- Feminist Interpretation: Many readers interpret the poem as a feminist critique of patriarchal structures and the ways in which women are often objectified and reduced to their seductive power.
In-Depth Analysis of “Siren Song”
Stanzas 1-3: The Allure and the Aftermath
The poem begins by establishing the irresistible nature of the Siren’s song: “This is the one song everyone would like to learn: the song that is irresistible.” Burroughs immediately highlights the song’s captivating power, then adds a chilling detail: “the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons even though they see the beached skulls.” The juxtaposition of allure and death is crucial. The men are aware of the danger—they see the consequences—yet they are powerless to resist. This suggests the song operates on a deeper, more primal level than simple aesthetic pleasure.
The third stanza introduces the paradoxical nature of the song’s knowledge: “the song nobody knows because anyone who has heard it is dead, and the others can’t remember.” This creates a sense of mystery and underscores the song’s destructive power. The knowledge is lost with those who succumb to it, creating a perpetual cycle of destruction.
Stanzas 4-6: A Plea for Liberation
The fourth stanza marks a significant shift in perspective: “Shall I tell you the secret and if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?” Here, the Siren directly addresses the reader, offering to reveal the truth in exchange for freedom. The “bird suit” is a powerful metaphor for the confining role she’s forced to play—a creature defined by her appearance and her deadly song. It represents her lack of agency and her desire to shed the expectations placed upon her.
The fifth and sixth stanzas reveal the Siren’s weariness and resentment: “I don’t enjoy it here squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical.” She rejects the romanticized image of the Siren, emphasizing the monotony and loneliness of her existence. The phrase “feathery maniacs” suggests camaraderie with her fellow Sirens, yet hints at a desperate attempt to maintain sanity in a bizarre and isolating situation. The song is “fatal and valuable,” a paradoxical combination that highlights the Siren’s conflicting emotions.
Stanzas 7-9: The Deceptive Truth
The final stanzas are perhaps the most unsettling. The Siren seems to be confiding in the reader, drawing them closer with the promise of a secret: “I will tell the secret to you, to you, only to you.” She positions herself as vulnerable and trustworthy, appealing to the reader’s sense of empathy. However, the revelation is a calculated manipulation: “This song is a cry for help: Help me!” She presents her song as a plea for assistance, but it is also a tactic to lure her next victim.
The final lines are particularly ironic: “at last. Alas it is a boring song but it works every time.” The Siren admits the song lacks artistic merit, but its effectiveness lies in its ability to exploit human desire and weakness. The repetition of “it works every time” underscores the cyclical nature of the myth and the Siren’s powerlessness to escape her fate. The ending is a stark reminder that even seemingly honest confessions can be deceptive.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Siren Song”
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: The “bird suit” is a central metaphor representing the Siren’s confinement and lack of agency.
- Irony: The poem is filled with irony, particularly in the Siren’s confessions and her deceptive plea for help.
- Allusion: The poem alludes to the classic Greek myth of the Sirens, drawing upon the audience’s existing knowledge and expectations.
Poetic Devices
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, lacking a regular rhyme scheme or meter. This contributes to the poem’s conversational and confessional tone.
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, mirroring the captivating nature of the Siren’s song. For example, “The song nobody knows because anyone who has heard it is dead…”
- Repetition: The repetition of phrases like “it works every time” emphasizes the cyclical nature of the myth and the Siren’s powerlessness.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery, like “beached skulls” and “feathery maniacs,” creates a haunting and unsettling atmosphere.
Quotes for Reflection
The following lines from “Siren Song” offer powerful insights into the poem’s themes:
“Shall I tell you the secret and if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?”
This quote encapsulates the Siren’s desire for liberation and her willingness to manipulate others to achieve her goals.
“This song is a cry for help: Help me!”
This quote highlights the deceptive nature of the Siren’s plea and the poem’s exploration of manipulation and performance.
“Siren Song” is a complex and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional interpretations of the Greek myth. Burroughs’s masterful use of language and poetic devices creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of a creature trapped by her own power. The poem continues to resonate with readers today because of its exploration of timeless themes like manipulation, freedom, and the search for identity.