Our Old Friend Neverfail
The poem is a nostalgic tribute to the passing of time and the fleeting nature of youth. It describes an old man who has lived through many seasons and has seen his friends grow old and die. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of decline and death. The poem's tone is melancholic, but also accepting and resigned to the natural order of things.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Philosophical · 272 words
First lines
O it's good to ketch a relative 'at's richer and don't run When you holler out to hold up, and'll joke and have his fun; It's good to hear a man called bad and then find out he's not, Er strike some chap they call lukewarm 'at's really red-hot;
It's good to know the Devil's painted jes' a leetle black, And it's good to have most anybody pat you on the back; -- But jes' the best thing in the world's our old friend Neverfail, When he wags yer hand as honest as an old dog wags his tail!
What this Textopian page supports
Our Old Friend Neverfail is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Philosophical, Social Commentary, Nostalgia
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The tone and content include light-hearted and humorous observations about life and human nature.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deeper reflections on human character and societal values.
- Social Commentary — The text comments on social behaviors and norms, such as honesty and integrity.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Folk Culture · Rural Life · Nostalgia · Sentimentality · Whimsy · Storytelling