A Song for Christmas

Illustrated print from newspaper.

A Song for Christmas

by James Whitcomb Riley.

Chant me a rhyme of Christmas--

Sing me a jovial song,--

And though it is filled with laughter,

Let it be pure and strong

Sing of the hearts brimmed over

With the story of the day--

Of the echo of childish voices

That will not die away.--

Of the blare of the tasseled bugle,

Ans the timeless clatter and beat

Of the drum that throbs to muster

Squadrons of scampering feet.

But, O, let your voice fall fainter,

Till, blent with a minor tone,

You temper your song with the beauty

Of the pity Christ hath shown,

And sing one verse for the voiceless;

And yet, ere the song be done,

A verse for the ears that hear not,

And a verse for the sightless one.

For though it be time for singing

A merry Christmas glee,

Let a low sweet voice of pathos

Run through the melody.