Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Congress Street, the main drag in downtown Portland, Maine, is the boyhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882). Despite what Wikipedia says, the house was not demolished in 1955, and in fact, we spent many lunchtimes sitting in the garden in the back of the house enjoying the quiet and peace. A statue of the beloved poet sits in the middle of Congress Square, several blocks away from his birthplace.

Portland is deservedly proud of this poet of such works as “Paul Revere’s Ride,” “The Courtship of Miles Standish,” “The Song of Hiawatha,” “Evangeline,” and “The Village Blacksmith.” Minneapolis also recognizes Longfellow because of the popularity of “The Song of Hiawatha” and Minnehaha Falls, and named a neighborhood after him.

You may have heard many famous lines and never knew you were hearing Longfellow’s poetry. Perhaps the most famous is the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Others are:

I shot an arrow in the air, It fell to earth, I know not where.

Though the mills of God grind slowly, they grind exceeding small.

Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.

Under a spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands.

Oh ye dead Poets, who are living still.

Into each life some rain must fall.

This last quote is from “The Rainy Day” which will be our selection for today. Enjoy!

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

                And the day is dark and dreary.

 

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,

                And the days are dark and dreary.

 

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

                Some days must be dark and dreary.