Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Chant me a rhyme of christmas
Last Line: Run through the melody.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Christmas; Jesus Christ; Rhyme; Singing & Singers; Nativity, The


CHANT me a rhyme of Christmas --
Sing me a jovial song, --
And though it is filled with laughter,
Let it be pure and strong.

Let it be clear and ringing,
And though it mirthful be,
Let a low, sweet voice of pathos
Run through the melody.

Sing of the hearts brimmed over
With the story of the day --
Of the echo of childish voices
That will not die away. --

Of the blare of the tasseled bugle,
And the timeless clatter and beat
Of the drum that throbs to muster
Squadrons of scampering feet.

But O let your voice fall fainter,
Till, blent with a minor tone,
You temper your song with the beauty
Of the pity Christ hath shown:

And sing one verse for the voiceless;
And yet, ere the song be done,
A verse for the ears that hear not,
And a verse for the sightless one:

For though it be time for singing
A merry Christmas glee,
Let a low, sweet voice of pathos
Run through the melody.





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