The Lugubrious Whing-Whang
This poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the loss of innocence. It describes a childhood memory of a boy's fascination with a mechanical bird that whistles a mournful tune, symbolizing the fleeting nature of youth and happiness. The speaker recalls how he would listen to the bird's song, mesmerized by its beauty and sadness, and how it seemed to capture the essence of his own feelings about growing up and leaving childhood behind.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1879 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 396 words
First lines
The rhyme o' The Raggedy Man's 'at's best Is Tickle me, Love, in these Lonesome Ribs, -- 'Cause that-un's the strangest of all o' the rest, An' the worst to learn, an' the last one guessed, An' the funniest one, an' the foolishest. -- Tickle me, Love, in these Lonesome Ribs!
I don't know what in the world it means -- Tickle me, Love, in these Lonesome Ribs! -- An' nen when I _tell_ him I don't, he leans Like he was a-grindin' on some machines An' says: Ef I _don't_, w'y, I don't know _beans! _ Tickle me, Love, in these Lonesome Ribs! --
What this Textopian page supports
The Lugubrious Whing-Whang is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humor, Nonsense Verse
- Length: 396 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The playful language and whimsical imagery suggest a target audience of children.
- Fantasy — The presence of fantastical creatures and surreal settings aligns with fantasy themes.
- Humor — The nonsensical and playful nature of the text contributes to a humorous tone.
Tags
Poetic · Nostalgic · Whimsical · Melancholic · Satirical · Humorous · Ironical · Social Commentary · Regionalism · Folkloric · Rural Life · Coming of Age