Wet-weather Talk
Wet-weather Talk
Original Text
The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley, Vol. IV (Bobbs-Merrill, 1916): 948-49. PS 2700 F16 Robarts Library
2 It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice. --
3When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
6 Although they're apt to grumble some --
7Puts most theyr trust in Providence,
8 And takes things as they come --
9 That is, the commonality
10 Of men that's lived as long as me
11 Has watched the world enugh to learn
12 They're not the boss of this concern.
13With some, of course, it's different --
14 I've saw young men that knowed it all,
15And didn't like the way things went
16 On this terrestchul ball; --
17 But all the same, the rain, some way,
18 Rained jest as hard on picnic day;
19 Er, when they railly wanted it,
20 It mayby wouldn't rain a bit!
21In this existunce, dry and wet
22 Will overtake the best of men --
24 The sun off now and then. --
26 You've fool-like lent your umbrell' to,
27 And want it -- out'll pop the sun,
28 And you'll be glad you hain't got none!
29It aggervates the farmers, too --
30 They's too much wet, er too much sun,
31Er work, er waitin' round to do
32 Before the plowin' 's done:
33 And mayby, like as not, the wheat,
34 Jest as it's lookin' hard to beat,
35 Will ketch the storm -- and jest about
37These-here cy-clones a-foolin' round --
38 And back'ard crops! -- and wind and rain! --
40 May elbow up again! --
41 They hain't no sense, as I can see,
42 Fer mortuls, sech as us, to be
43 A-faultin' Natchur's wise intents,
44 And lockin' horns with Providence!
45It hain't no use to grumble and complane;
46 It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice. --
47When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
48 W'y, rain's my choice.
Notes
1] hain't: ain't. Back to Line
4] W'y: Why. Back to Line
5] ginerly: generally. Back to Line
23] skift: skiff, small amount. Back to Line
25] wundern: wondering. Back to Line
36] a-jintin': "jaunting," coming out. Back to Line
39] wallerd: thrashed. Back to Line
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2003
Rhyme