The cottage was a thatch'd one,
The outside old and mean,
Yet everything within that cot
Was wondrous neat and clean.
The night was dark and stormy,
The wind was howling wild;
A patient mother knelt beside
The death bed of her child.
A little worn-out creature—
His once bright eyes grown dim,
It was a collier's only child—
They called him Little Jim.
And, oh! to see the briny tears
Fast hurrying down her cheeks,
As she offer'd up a prayer in thought—
She was afraid to speak,
Lest she might waken one she loved
Far better than her life,
For there was all a mother's love
In that poor collier's wife.
With hands uplifted, see, she kneels
Beside the sufferer's bed;
And prays that He will spare her boy,
And take herself instead.
She gets her answer from the child,
Soft fell these words from him—
"Mother, the angels do so smile,
And beckon Little Jim.
"I have no pain, dear mother, now,
But oh! I am so dry;
Just moisten poor Jim's lips again,
And, mother, don't you cry."
With gentle, trembling haste she held
The tea-cup to his lips;
He smiled to thank her, as he took
Three tiny little sips.
"Tell father when he comes from work,
I said 'goodnight' to him,
And, mother, now I'll go to sleep,"—
Alas, poor Little Jim.
She saw that he was dying—
The child she loved so dear
Had uttered the last words that she
Might ever hope to hear.
The cottage door was opened,
The collier's step is heard,—
The father and the mother meet,
Yet neither speak a word.
He knew that all was over,
He knew his child was dead;
He took the candle in his hand,
And walked towards the bed.
His quivering lips gave token
Of the grief he'd fain conceal,
And, see, his wife has joined him—
The stricken couple kneel.
With hearts bowed down with sadness
They humbly ask of Him,
In heaven, once more to meet again,
Their own poor Little Jim.
Notes
This is a very typical ballad of "young life cut short". Notice that, although Little Jim's father is a coalminer, the thatched cottage he lives in is, of course, kept neat and spotless!!
The death scene naturally entails inclement weather and equally predictable is the father's return from work just too late for his son's last moments.
Many irreverent parodies were written after this poem appeared; perhaps the best known being a version of the touching eighth stanza:
"I have no pain, dear mother, now, .
But, oh, I am so dry;
Connect me to a brewery
And leave me there to die."
A verse comment on this type of poem can be found in the writing of Jane & Ann Taylor. http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/30018-Jane-Taylor-Dirty-Jim
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
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little jim
From guest Joan Mullen (contact)
My grandmother used to recite this to me when I was a child, (I am 73) It was great to be able to reminisce and remember. -
LITTLE JIM
From guest C.G. GARDINER (contact)
I HAVE LOOKED FOR THIS PORM FOR YEARS. I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK THAT MY MEMORY OF IT WAS FAULTY. I FIRST READ IT IN SCHOOL (IN THE BAHAMAS)WHEN I WAS ABOUT EIGTH YEARS OLD. THANKS MUCH FOR POSTING IT HERE. IT BRINGS BACK GREAT MEMORIES. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN PURCHASE A COPY OF THE ROYAL READER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. -
little jim ,the colliers dying child
From guest kathie (contact)
This is a beautiful piece of oldpoetry.I have the print of this poem complete with words.It belonged to a lady who when she pased left her house to my grandparents. I am trying to get information on print but to no avail ,would any one have an age or any info please -
Little Jim
From guest Doreen (contact)
I've been searching everywhere for a copy of Royal Reader's from which I learnt this in Jamaica when I was about 8 years old. I'm now in my fifties & could remember only the first few verses. What a pleasant surprise seeing it again. I feel blessed & will share this with others! -
Like Little Jim, cottage no longer with us
From guest David (contact)
I knew Little Jim's Cottage. It stood on the back road from St Helena to Dordon, in Warwickshire, and was close by the home of my maternal line, the Radford who lived in a similar Tudor cottage called The Hollies on Dordon Common. Jim's place was demolished in the 60s or 70s, and the Hollies is now a pile of rubble after vandalism and subsequent demolition by the Coal Board. With them went to last vestiges of the ancient medieval village called The Hoo. So sad, like the poem which, naturally, was part of my childhood. -
Little Jim
From guest Claudette (contact)
I was 14 yrs when I recited this poem on a sunday evening in the beautiful island of Grenada. I won the 1st prize, following week I was asked to recite it on the radio. I have never forgotten it and felt so sad for the family. I am 49 yrs now and very happy to find it on the internet. I wish I could have a copy. I have promised to share this poem with the residents Iam working with. -
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To Guest Claudette
PRINTING
If you look in the right hand margin you will see a section "View options" and within that is a section labelled print. Please make a copy with our blesings.
As far as we are aware every poem at Oldpoetry is in the public domain.
Jim
Oldpoetry Research Team
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Little Jim
From guest P R Burgin (contact)
When just a7-8 year old boy I used to write this poem down as my father recited it to me. I never kept a copy and have never seen it till today. Now age 63 it still brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye,remembering once more my father and I. -
little jim
From guest harry james (contact)
i was moved at age 10 when i firstread the colliers son i am now80 nothing has changed -
LITTLE JIM
From guest VINETTE OKOLA (contact)
i AM 59 AND MY MOTHER HAD ME RECITE THIS POEM AND A 'NOBLE BOY' AT A CHURCH CONCERT WHEN I WAS 10.I NEVER FORGOT THEM,THEY ARE SO PROFOUND.WISH I COULD GET A COPY OF THE ROYAL READER FOR MY MOM. -
A devastating time - losing a child. The poet brought along the scene set so well to give a background to this family we read ab out. Father, a hard working man couldn't be there as his son closes his eyes - possibly could not afford to take time from work or was not allowed - either scenario possible. A glimpse into the past of how life was for so many people.
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I have never read a lot of poetry other than those written by friends. I'm going to be rectifying that as soon as I can get to the library. I was impressed by the poem, but also impressed by the people who knew it, memorized it, and the memories it invokes in them. Thank you for sharing this poem and opening up my eyes to what I am missing. Also thank you to those who commented here. Thanks for sharing your memories and making a lasting impression on me.
God bless. -
Poor Little Jim
From guest Iris (contact)
I was made to memorise this poem when I was 12 years old and never forgot it.. I am now 88 years old !!! -
Little Jim
From guest Tony DeCoteau (contact)
I first read and learnt this poem from my Royal Reader book way, way back in elementary school. With a little prompting, I bet I can still recite it in its entirety.
Thanks for the memories.
MOD MESSAGE
You're welcome -
Little Jim
From guest Sally garrison (contact)
My grandfather, Robert Knox Harrison, a gold medal elocutionist in Ireland used to recite this poem to me with great gusto and drama. Thanks for the copy! -
From guest Ramon b Ramirez (contact)
i learnt this poem when i was going to school in my royal reader,today i am56 yrs and i still know how to recite it by memory no doubt one of my favorite. is it posible that royal readers are still around -
Little Jim by Edward Farmer
From guest Wendy Jane Walcott, nee Baxter (contact)
I have searched every book I can for this poem. My mother used to read it to me when I was a child, during the war and I felt so lucky during those dark days. Thank you so much for this memory.
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