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Poem
July 17, 1905
The Jersey City News
Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
Nostalgic poem yearning for childhood school days filled with reciting classic verses like 'Boy Stood on the Burning Deck' and 'Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight,' rural paths to the log schoolhouse amid blossoms and birdsong, now lost to urban development and a bridge crossing.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
"THE DEAR OLD DAYS"
Gimme back the dear old days—all the boys in line—
"Boy stood on the burnin' deck," and
"Bingen on the Rhine!"
" 'Twas midnight; in his guarded tent'—
we spoke it high and low.
While Mary trotted out that lamb "whose fleece was white as snow!"
Gimme back the dear old days that Mem'ry likes to keep.
With "Pilot, 'tis a fearful night—there's danger on the deep."
The oldtime awkward gestures—the jerk, meant for a bow—
We said that "Curfew shall not ring tonight,"
but Lord, it's ringing now.
Gimme back the dear old days—the pathway through the dells
To the schoolhouse in the blossoms; the sound of far-off bells
Tinklin' o'er the meadows; the song of the bird and brook;
The old-time dictionary, an' the blue-back spellin' book!
Gone, like a dream forever!—A city's hid the place
Where stood the ol' log schoolhouse; an no familiar face
Is smilin' there in welcome beneath a mornin'sky—
There's a bridge acrost the river; an we've crossed an' said "Good-by!"
Atlanta Constitution
Gimme back the dear old days—all the boys in line—
"Boy stood on the burnin' deck," and
"Bingen on the Rhine!"
" 'Twas midnight; in his guarded tent'—
we spoke it high and low.
While Mary trotted out that lamb "whose fleece was white as snow!"
Gimme back the dear old days that Mem'ry likes to keep.
With "Pilot, 'tis a fearful night—there's danger on the deep."
The oldtime awkward gestures—the jerk, meant for a bow—
We said that "Curfew shall not ring tonight,"
but Lord, it's ringing now.
Gimme back the dear old days—the pathway through the dells
To the schoolhouse in the blossoms; the sound of far-off bells
Tinklin' o'er the meadows; the song of the bird and brook;
The old-time dictionary, an' the blue-back spellin' book!
Gone, like a dream forever!—A city's hid the place
Where stood the ol' log schoolhouse; an no familiar face
Is smilin' there in welcome beneath a mornin'sky—
There's a bridge acrost the river; an we've crossed an' said "Good-by!"
Atlanta Constitution
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Nostalgia
School Days
Childhood Memories
Rural Path
Recited Poems
Urban Change
Poem Details
Title
"The Dear Old Days"
Subject
Nostalgia For Childhood School Days
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas In Dialect
Key Lines
Gimme Back The Dear Old Days—All The Boys In Line—
Gone, Like A Dream Forever!—A City's Hid The Place
There's A Bridge Acrost The River; An We've Crossed An' Said "Good By!"