On Going Home For Christmas Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCC DDEEFF GGHHAA AAIICC| He little knew the sorrow that was in his vacant chair | A |
| He never guessed they'd miss him or he'd surely have been there | A |
| He couldn't see his mother or the lump that filled her throat | B |
| Or the tears that started falling as she read his hasty note | B |
| And he couldn't see his father sitting sorrowful and dumb | C |
| Or he never would have written that he thought he couldn't come | C |
| - | |
| He little knew the gladness that his presence would have made | D |
| And the joy it would have given or he never would have stayed | D |
| He didn't know how hungry had the little mother grown | E |
| Once again to see her baby and to claim him for her own | E |
| He didn't guess the meaning of his visit Christmas Day | F |
| Or he never would have written that he couldn't get away | F |
| - | |
| He couldn't see the fading of the cheeks that once were pink | G |
| And the silver in the tresses and he didn't stop to think | G |
| How the years are passing swiftly and next Christmas it might be | H |
| There would be no home to visit and no mother dear to see | H |
| He didn't think about it I'll not say he didn't care | A |
| He was heedless and forgetful or he'd surely have been there | A |
| - | |
| Are you going home for Christmas Have you written you'll be there | A |
| Going home to kiss the mother and to show her that you care | A |
| Going home to greet the father in a way to make him glad | I |
| If you're not I hope there'll never come a time you'll wish you had | I |
| Just sit down and write a letter it will make their heart strings hum | C |
| With a tune of perfect gladness if you'll tell them that you'll come | C |
Edgar Albert Guest
(1)
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Write your comment about On Going Home For Christmas poem by Edgar Albert Guest
Catherine Conboy: I love all Edgar Guest's Poems, as I have listened to them all my life when I lived in the Irish Republic. I now live in Australia but on every visit to Ireland we hear "Going Home for Christmas" as it is everyone's favorite Christmas poem. It is now part of the Irish Christmas.
Shirley A. Chambers : This poem should be read aloud to family, Frequently,
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