Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY FIDDLE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My fiddle? - well, I kindo' keep Last Line: She kindo' understands! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Violins | ||||||||
MY fiddle? -- Well, I kindo' keep her handy, don't you know! Though I ain't so much inclined to tromp the strings and switch the bow As I was before the timber of my elbows got so dry, And my fingers was more limber-like and caperish and spry; Yit I can plonk and plunk and plink, And tune her up and play, And jest lean back and laugh and wink At ev'ry rainy day! My playin' 's only middlin' -- tunes I picked up when a boy -- The kindo'-sorto' fiddlin' that the folks call "cordaroy"; "The Old Fat Gal," and "Rye-straw," and "My Sailyor's on the Sea," Is the old cowtillions I "saw" when the ch'ice is left to me; And so I plunk and plonk and plink, And rosum-up my bow And play the tunes that makes you think The devil's in your toe! I was allus a-romancin', do-less boy, to tell the truth, A-fiddlin' and a-dancin', and a-wastin' of my youth, And a-actin' and a-cuttin'-up all sorts o' silly pranks That wasn't worth a button of anybody's thanks! But they tell me, when I used to plink And plonk and plunk and play, My music seemed to have the kink O' drivin' cares away! That's how this here old fiddle's won my hart's indurin' love! From the strings acrost her middle, to the schreechin' keys above -- From her "apern," over "bridge," and to the ribbon round her throat, She's a wooin', cooin' pigeon, singin' "Love me" ev'ry note! And so I pat her neck, and plink Her strings with lovin' hands, -- And, list'nin' clos't, I sometimes think She kindo' understands! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEAR MISS HAIKU by ANSELM HOLLO OUT-OF-THE-BODY TRAVEL by STANLEY PLUMLY HE'D BE NOTHING BUT HIS VIOLIN by MARY KYLE DALLAS THE OLD VIOLIN by MAURICE FRANCIS EGAN THE VIOLINIST by MARGARET STEELE ANDERSON THE VIOLIN'S ENCHANTRESS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET A VIOLINIST by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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