Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: CHANT ME A RHYME OF CHRISTMAS
Last Line: RUN THROUGH THE MELODY.
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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