Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MR. FOLEY'S CHRISTMAS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MR. FOLEY'S CHRISTMAS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Since pick av them I'm sore denied
Last Line: A dishgraced workin'-man!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Christmas; Labor & Laborers; Nativity, The; Work; Workers


There's nothing sweet in the city But the patient lives of the poor.
-- JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY

I

SINCE pick av them I'm sore denied
'Twixt play or work, I say,
Though it be Christmas, I decide
I'll work whilst others play:
I'll whustle, too, wid Christmas pride
To airn me extry pay. --
It's like the job's more glorified
That's done a-holiday!

Dan, dip a coal in dad's pipe-bowl;
Kate, pass me dinner-can:
Och! Mary woman, save yer sowl,
Ye've kissed a workin'-man --
Ye have, this Christmas mornin',
Ye've kissed a workin'-man!

II

Whisht, Kate an' Dan! -- ten thousan' grates
There's yon where ne'er a charm
Av childer-faces sanctuates
The city-homes from harm:
It's cold out there the weather waits
An' bitter whirls the storm,
But, faith! these arms av little Kate's
'Ll kape her fayther warm!

Ay, Danny, tight me belt a mite, --
Kate, aisy wid the can! --
Sure, I'd be comin' home to-night
A hungry workin'-man --
D'ye moind, this Christmas avenin' --
A howlin'-hungry man!

III

It's sorry for the boss I be,
Wid new conthracts to sign
An' hire a sub to oversee
Whilst he lave off an' dine:
It's sorry for the Company
That owns the Aarie Line --
What vasht raasponshibility
They have, compared wid mine!

There, Katy! git me t'other mitt,
An' fetch me yon from Dan --
(Wid aich one's "Christmas" hid in it!)
Lave go me dinner-can! --
Ye'll have me docked this mornin' --
This blessed Christmas mornin', --
A dishgraced workin'-man!





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