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1849–1916

A FEEL IN THE CHRIS'MAS-AIR

James Whitcomb Riley

They's a kind o’ feel in the air, to me. When the Chris'mas-times sets in. That's about as much of a mystery As ever I've run ag'in!—

Fer instunce, now, whilse I gain in weight And gineral health, I swear They's a goneness somers I can n't quite state — A kind o’ feel in the air.

They's a feel in the Chris'mas-air goes right To the spot where a man lives at!— It gives a feller a’ appetite — They ai n't no doubt about that!—

And yit they's somepin’ — I do n't know what — That follers me, here and there, And ha'nts and worries and spares me not — A kind o’ feel in the air!

They's a feel, as I say, in the air that's jest As blame-don sad as sweet!— In the same ra-sho as I feel the best And am spryest on my feet,

They's allus a kind o’ sort of a’ ache That I can n't lo-cate no-where;— But it comes with Chris'mas, and no mistake!— A kind o’ feel in the air.

Is it the racket the childern raise?— W'y, no!— God bless‘ em!— no!— Is it the eyes and the cheeks ablaze — Like my own wuz, long ago?—

Is it the bleat o’ the whistle and beat O’ the little toy-drum and blare O’ the horn?— No! no!— it is jest the sweet — The sad-sweet feel in the air.

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A FEEL IN THE CHRIS'MAS-AIR · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove