The Poetry Corner

Old Man's Nursery Rhyme

By James Whitcomb Riley

I In the jolly winters Of the long-ago, It was not so cold as now - O! No! No! Then, as I remember, Snowballs to eat Were as good as apples now. And every bit as sweet! II In the jolly winters Of the dead-and-gone, Bub was warm as summer, With his red mitts on, - Just in his little waist- And-pants all together, Who ever hear him growl About cold weather? III In the jolly winters Of the long-ago - Was it HALF so cold as now? O! No! No! Who caught his death o' cold, Making prints of men Flat-backed in snow that now's Twice as cold again? IV In the jolly winters Of the dead-and-gone, Startin' out rabbit-huntin' - Early as the dawn, - Who ever froze his fingers, Ears, heels, or toes, - Or'd 'a' cared if he had? Nobody knows! V Nights by the kitchen-stove, Shellin' white and red Corn in the skillet, and Sleepin' four abed! Ah! the jolly winters Of the long-ago! We were not as old as now - O! No! No!