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1849–1916

A GOOD MAN

James Whitcomb Riley

A good man never dies — In worthy deed and prayer And helpful hands, and honest eyes, If smiles or tears be there:

Who lives for you and me — Lives for the world he tries To help — he lives eternally. A good man never dies.

Who lives to bravely take His share of toil and stress, And, for his weaker fellows’ sake, Makes every burden less,—

He may, at last, seem worn — Lie fallen — hands and eyes Folded — yet, though we mourn and mourn, A good man never dies.

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A GOOD MAN · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove