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1849–1916

THE DEAD JOKE AND THE FUNNY MAN

James Whitcomb Riley

Long years ago, a funny man, Flushed with a strange delight, Sat down and wrote a funny thing All in the solemn night;

And as he wrote he clapped his hands And laughed with all his might. For it was such a funny thing, O, such a very funny thing,

This wonderfully funny thing, He Laughed Outright.

And so it was this funny man Printed this funny thing — Forgot it, too, nor ever thought It worth remembering,

Till but a day or two ago. ( Ah! what may changes bring! ) He found this selfsame funny thing In an exchange — “O, funny thing!”

He cried, “You dear old funny thing!” And Sobbed Outright.

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THE DEAD JOKE AND THE FUNNY MAN · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove