Little Jim Poem by Edward Farmer

Little Jim



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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Margaret hedges 07 January 2022

Well over 70 years ago my Nanny (Grandma) used to recite this poem to us. I am the only one that can remember it. I loved it so much and found it so sad.

2 0 Reply
Anne Catherall 15 April 2020

My Nain {grandma] use to recite this poem when I was just a child I'm 79 now. It was so sad and poignant but I loved it so i was always asking her to say it again. All her 12 children were fond of it

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Cath Allwood 16 April 2019

My grandad used to recite a parody of this when I was a child in the 1950s. I didn’t know it was a parody at the time! The sausage was a fat one, Its outside was all skin, And inside was the mystery Of the dog called Little Jim.

2 1 Reply
Paul Robert Burgin.... 19 March 2019

My father was a collier and used to recite this poem to me when i was a young lad. I think he would have heard it from his father because it is so sad....I am in my 70, s now and did not die as a lad but how i still think of my dear collier dad.... PRB.

2 0 Reply
Margaret Langley 01 June 2021

This poem is so sad. It was taught to me by my Grandma at the age of 2 years.

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Earle Spencer 15 February 2019

This was one of the 1st poems l learnt over 60 years ago.

2 0 Reply
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