My Dancin'-Days is Over
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and the passing of youth. The speaker reflects on their carefree days of dancing and revelry, now lost to time. They lament the end of a period in their life marked by joy, freedom, and abandon. The poem's tone is melancholic, with a sense of longing for a bygone era.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Sentimental · 590 words
First lines
What is it in old fiddle-chunes 'at makes me ketch my breath And ripples up my backbone tel I'm tickled most to death? -- Kindo' like that sweet-sick feelin', in the long sweep of a swing, The first you ever swung in, with yer first sweet-heart, i jing! -- Yer first picnic -- yer first ice-cream -- yer first o' _ever'thing_ 'At happened 'fore yer dancin'-days wuz over!
What this Textopian page supports
My Dancin'-Days is Over 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, Nostalgia, Sentimental, American Regionalism, Music
- Length: 590 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- The Days Gone By by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetic form.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around reminiscing about the past and longing for earlier times.
- Sentimental — The writing evokes strong emotions and sentimentality, focusing on personal memories and feelings.
- American Regionalism — The language and setting reflect a specific American regional dialect and culture.
Tags
Poetry · Nostalgia · Autobiography · Memoir · Childhood Memories · Coming of Age · Indiana Literature · American Poetry · 19th Century Literature · Regionalism · Rural Life · Folk Culture