A Song by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a nostalgic and melancholic scene of a person singing a song that evokes memories of the past. The speaker reflects on how the song brings back memories of love, loss, and longing. The tone is contemplative and introspective, with a focus on the emotional resonance of music in capturing the human experience.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Inspirational · 310 words
First lines
There is ever a song somewhere, my dear; There is ever a something sings alway: There's the song of the lark when the skies are clear, And the song of the thrush when the skies are gray.
The sunshine showers across the grain, And the bluebird trills in the orchard tree; And in and out, when the eaves dip rain, The swallows are twittering ceaselessly.
What this Textopian page supports
A Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Inspirational, Romantic
- Length: 310 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Song by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Song?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The King by James Whitcomb Riley
- To An Importunate Ghost by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Delicious Interruption by James Whitcomb Riley
- Its Got To Be by James Whitcomb Riley
- Ylladmar by James Whitcomb Riley
- To The Judge by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem prominently features elements of nature, such as birds, skies, and seasons, as central themes.
- Inspirational — The recurring theme of finding a song or positivity in various circumstances suggests an inspirational tone.
- Romantic — The use of affectionate language and the address to 'my dear' implies a romantic undertone.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Children's Poetry · Nursery Rhyme · Folk Song · Ballad · Lyric Poetry · Free Verse · Nature Imagery · Imagism · Symbolism