Slothrop hears a girl singing. Accompanying herself on a balalaika. One of those sad little Parisian-sounding tunes in 3/4: Love never goes away, Never completely dies, Always some souvenir Takes us by sad surprise. You went away from me, One rose was left behind- Pressed in my Book of Hours, That is the rose I find. . . . Though it's another year, Though it's another me, Under the rose is a drying tear, Under my linden tree. . . . Love never goes away, Not if it's really true, It can return, by night, by day, Tender and green and new As the leaves from a linden tree, love, that I left with you.
In Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow," Slothrop becomes enchanted by a girl's melancholic singing accompanied by a balalaika. The song reflects themes of enduring love and nostalgia, expressing how love does not vanish but lingers through memories, symbolized by a pressed rose in a Book of Hours. This prompts a reflection on the bittersweet nature of love and loss, reinforcing the idea that remnants of love can surprise us, arising unexpectedly from the past.
The lyrics convey a poignant sense of longing, indicating that even as time passes, love retains its essence and can resurface, bringing renewed feelings. The imagery of the rose and the linden tree serves as metaphors for cherished memories and enduring affection, suggesting that genuine love can endure and evolve, regardless of the distance or time elapsed. The song captures the complex interplay between memory, emotion, and the persistence of love in the human experience.
