Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OLD TIMES WERE THE BEST by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: FRIENDS, MY HEART IS HALF AWEARY
Last Line: THAT THE OLD TIMES WERE THE BEST.
Subject(s): HAPPINESS; NOSTALGIA; TIME; JOY; DELIGHT;
Friends, my heart is half aweary
Of its happiness to-night:
Though your songs are gay and cheery,
And your spirits feather-light,
There's a ghostly music haunting
Still the heart of every guest
And a voiceless chorus chanting
That the Old Times were the best.


CHORUS

All about is bright and pleasant
With the sound of song and jest,
Yet a feeling's ever present
That the Old Times were the best.





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