Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GREAT BLACK CROW by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE CROW - THE CROW! THE GREAT BLACK CROW!
Last Line: BUT IT'S FINE TO LIVE AND DIE LIKE A GREAT BLACK CROW!
Subject(s): BIRDS; CROWS; DEATH; WORMS; DEAD, THE;

THE crow -- the crow! the great black crow!
He cares not to meet us wherever we go;
He cares not for man, beast, friend, nor foe,
For nothing will eat him he well doth know.
Know -- know! you great black crow!
It's a comfort to feel like a great black crow!

The crow -- the crow! the great black crow!
He loves the fat meadow -- his taste is low;
He loves the fat worms, and he dines in a row
With fifty fine cousins all black as a sloe.
Sloe -- sloe! you great black crow!
But it's jolly to fare like a great black crow!

The crow -- the crow! the great black crow!
He never gets drunk on the rain or snow;
He never gets drunk, but he never says no!
If you press him to tipple ever so.
So -- so! you great black crow!
It's an honour to soak like a great black crow!

The crow -- the crow! the great black crow!
He lives for a hundred year and mo';
He lives till he dies, and he dies as slow
As the morning mists down the hill that go.
Go -- go! you great black crow!
But it's fine to live and die like a great black crow!



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