“Love’s Old Sweet Song” is a popular 19th century love song about the endless and enduring nature of love. It is one of the two songs that Molly Bloom practices for her upcoming concert tour. Its tone contrasts strongly with the other, the seductive duet “Là ci darem” from Don Giovanni.
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“Love’s Old Sweet Song” Term Timeline in Ulysses
The timeline below shows where the term “Love’s Old Sweet Song” appears in Ulysses. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Episode 4: Calypso
...organizes her concerts. She’ll be singing “Là ci darem” (a duet from Don Giovanni) and “Love’s Old Sweet Song. ” She points Leopold to the foot of her bed; he retrieves her underwear, but...
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Episode 5: Lotus Eaters
...have “an engagement” lined up. Bloom comments on Molly’s coming concert tour and thinks of “Love’s Old Sweet Song. ” M’Coy asks to have his name put on the list at the funeral, and...
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Episode 15: Circe
Stephen mutters to himself about returning home. Florry asks him to sing “ Love’s Old Sweet Song ,” but he refuses, since he’s a “most finished artist.” Stephen imagines an argument between...
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Episode 17: Ithaca
...piano, which has Molly’s gloves and an ashtray on top. The sheet music for “ Love’s Old Sweet Song ” is on the music stand. Bloom flinches at the pain from bumping his head...
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Episode 18: Penelope
The train passes by again, and its sound interrupts Molly’s soliloquy and reminds her of “Love’s Old Sweet Song. ” Molly thinks about other singers, like Kathleen Kearney, who represent the kind of conservative,...
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