A Song for Christmas
The poem is a nostalgic and sentimental tribute to the joys of childhood during the Christmas season. It describes the speaker's memories of Christmases past, when life was simpler and more carefree. The poem expresses a sense of longing for those bygone days, but also acknowledges that time has passed and things can never be the same again.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Holiday, Family · 412 words
First lines
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.
What this Textopian page supports
A Song for Christmas is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Holiday, Family, Sentimental, Religious
- Length: 412 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Song for Christmas by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- For This Christmas by James Whitcomb Riley
- Christmas Greeting by James Whitcomb Riley
- Lee O Harris Christmas Day 1909 by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Christmas Tree by James Mcintyre
- Christmas Hymn by Edith Nesbit
- Nearing Christmas by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Holiday — The central theme revolves around Christmas, a key holiday, and its associated traditions and emotions.
- Family — The poem emphasizes familial joy and togetherness, highlighting interactions between parents and children.
- Sentimental — The work evokes emotions through its depiction of joy, wonder, and pathos, aiming to touch the reader's heart.
Tags
Poetry · Christmas · Nostalgia · Holiday · Seasonal · American · Literary · Classic · Verse · Rhyme · Storytelling · Imagery