In this poem the poet tells us the story of a lovely highland girl, who is working in a field and singing a song. He is deeply impressed by her song and remembers the melody of her song even after he has left the place. He cannot understand the language of the song but the sad beauty of her voice goes straight to his heart. The atmosphere of the poem and the song of the girl as a part of beauty of nature leave a lasting impression on the mind of the poet.

Poet in the first paragraph advices the passerby to stop short and listen to her. The highland girl cuts and binds the grain in sheaves, singing a sad song as well as busy in her work. Poet compares the voice of reaping girl to nightingale. In addition he also says even nightingale cannot sing as sweet as her. When some group of tired travellers reaches, Arabian deserts the song of the girl welcomes them.

The voice of the cuckoo is very sweet which sings in spring seas but the voice of the girl is rather sweeter than the cuckoo because her voice broke the silence of the seas. Poet guesses the girl is singing a unhappy simple song of ordinary matter, whatever may be the theme poet wants the song, not come to an end. Finally, the poet being a poet of nature was profoundly impressed and remembered the song for its melodious effect.