Who is Abram Joseph Ryan

Abram Joseph Ryan (February 5, 1838 – April 22, 1886) was an American poet, Catholic priest, active proponent of the Confederate States of America, and former Vincentian. He has been called the "Poet-Priest of the South" and the "Poet Laureate of the Confederacy."

Ryan was born in Maryland to Irish immigrants. He attended a Christian Brothers school in Missouri, and then, at the age of 13, a seminary run by the Vincentian Fathers. He entered the Vincentians and was sent to seminary in New York, to study theology and oversee the boys in the seminary's school. Vocally opposed to abolitionism, he was sent back to Missouri. Having gained experience as a preacher in rural areas, he was ordained in June 1860. After the American Civil War broke out, he went back and forth a few times b...
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Abram Joseph Ryan Poems

  • Presentiment
    "My Sister"


    ...
  • Nocturne ["betimes, I Seem To See In Dreams"]
    Betimes, I seem to see in dreams
    What when awake I may not see;
    Can night be God's more than the day?
    Do stars, not suns, best light his way? ...
  • Lines ["the World Is Sweet, And Fair, And Bright,"]
    The world is sweet, and fair, and bright,
    And joy aboundeth everywhere,
    The glorious stars crown every night,
    And thro' the dark of ev'ry care ...
  • The Star's Song
    Flower! Flower, why repine?
    God knows each creature's place;
    He hides within me when I shine,
    And your leaves hide His face. ...
  • The Sword Of Robert Lee
    Forth from its scabbard, pure and bright,
    Flashed the sword of Lee!
    Far in the front of the deadly fight,
    High o'er the brave in the cause of Right, ...
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Top 10 most used topics by Abram Joseph Ryan

Bright 66 Sweet 60 Face 46 Long 45 Deep 42 Soul 40 Earth 39 Shore 37 Spirit 36 Voice 34


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Poem of the day

Lewis Carroll Poem
Life Is But A Dream
 by Lewis Carroll

A boat, beneath a sunny sky
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July

Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear

...

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