Which Ane by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a young girl's death and her reunion with her deceased mother in the afterlife. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Dialect Literature · 586 words
First lines
Which ane, an' which ane, An' which ane for thee? -- Here thou hast thy vera choice, An' which sall it be? -- Ye hae the Holy Brither, An' ye hae the Scholarly; An', last, ye hae the butt o' baith -- Which sall it be?
Ane's oot o' Edinborough, Wi' the Beuk an' Gown; An' ane's cam frae Cambridge; An' ane frae scaur an' down: An' Deil tak the hindmaist! Sae the test gaes roun': An' here ye hae the lairdly twa, An' ane frae scaur an' down.
What this Textopian page supports
Which Ane 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, Humor, Dialect Literature, Satire, Folk
- Length: 586 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The playful language and whimsical tone suggest a humorous intent.
- Dialect Literature — The use of Scots dialect is a defining feature, placing it within dialect literature.
- Satire — The work appears to critique or mock certain societal or cultural norms, indicative of satire.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · Nursery Rhyme · Folklore · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Farm Life · Animal Story