首先,这首诗象民歌那样语言质朴,可咏性强。从整个诗来看,诗人使用的词全部都是单音节和双音节的常用词,只有“salley”也许不那么常见,但是,这个词却又对诗中感情的表达有着重要意义。柳树从原型意义来讲与悲伤的情绪有联系,字风雨中纤细的柳枝摇摆不定,这恰恰与人们在悲伤的风雨中无助的境况相似。另外。诗中使用重复的手法来烘托诗的主题:失落的爱。这种重复不仅是词语的重复(如 young and foolish),而且是句式的重复。第二节与第一节的句法大致相同。明显不同的地方,则出现在每节的结尾,以次来表现自己未能接受情人的劝告而悔恨万分。
Down by the Salley Gardens 走进莎莉花园 My love and I did meet 我和我的爱人相遇 She passed the Salley Gardens 她穿越莎莉花园 With little snow-white feet 踏著雪白的纤足 She bid me take love easy 她请我轻柔的对待这份情 As the leaves grow on the tree 像依偎在树上的群叶 But I being young and foolish 但我是如此年轻而无知 With her did not agree 不曾细听她的心声 In a field by the river 在河流畔的旷野 My love and I did stand 我和我的爱人并肩伫立 And on my leaning shoulder 在我的微倾的肩膀 She laid her snow-white hand 是她柔白的手所倚 She bid me take life easy 她请我珍重生命 As the grass grows on the weirs 像生长在河堰的韧草 But I was young and foolish 但我是如此年轻而无知 And now am full of tears 如今只剩下无限的泪水 Down by the Salley Gardens 走进莎莉花园 My love and I did meet 我和我的爱人相遇 She passed the Salley Gardens 她穿越莎莉花园 With little snow-white feet 踏著雪白的孅足 She bid me take love easy 她请我轻柔的对待这份情 As the leaves grow on the tree 像依偎在树上的群叶 But I being young and foolish 但我是如此年轻而无知 With her did not agree 不曾细听她的心声 But I was young and foolish 但我是如此年轻而无知 And now am full of tears 如今只剩下无限的泪水