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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CHRISTMAS GLEE; FEIGNED AS FROM ELIZABETHAN COMEDY by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WITH A HEY! AND A HI! AND A HEY-HO GLEE!
Last Line: THE CHRISTMAS HOLLY AND THE MISTLETOE!
Subject(s): CHILDREN; CHRISTMAS; WINTER; CHILDHOOD; NATIVITY, THE;

I

WITH a hey! and a hi! and a hey-ho glee!
O a Christmas glass for a sweet-lipped lass
To kiss and pass, in her coquetry --
So rare!
And the lads all flush save the right one there --
So rare -- so rare!
With a hey! and a hi! and a ho -- oh!
The Christmas holly and the mistletoe!

II

With a hey! and a hi! and a hey-ho wile!
As he lifts the cup and his wan face up,
Her eyes touch his with a tender smile --
So rare!
Then his hands grasp out -- and her own are there --
So rare -- so rare!
With a hey! and a hi! and a ho -- oh!
The Christmas holly and the mistletoe!

CHORUS

With a hey! and a hi! and a hey-ho-ho!
The wind, the winter and the drifting snow!
With a hey! and a hi! and a ho -- oh!
The Christmas holly and the mistletoe!



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