Children's Poetry Month: G4

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore by William Brighty Rands

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore--

Now doubt you have heard the name before--

Was a boy who never would shut a door!

The wind might whistle, and the wind might roar,

And teeth be acing and throats be sore,

But still he never would shut the door.

His father would beg, his mother implore,

"Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore,

We really do wish you would shut the door!"

Their hands they wrung, their hair they tore,

But Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore

Was deaf as a buoy out at the Nore.

When he walked forth the folks would roar,

"Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore,

Why don't you think to shut the door?"

They rigged out a Shutter with a sail and oar,

And threatened to pack off Gustavus Gore

On a voyage of penance to Singapore.

But he begged for mercy, and said, "No more!

Pray, do not send me to Singapore

On a Shutter, and then I will shut the door."

You will?" said his parents; "then keep on shore!

But mind you do!  For the plague is sore

Of a fellow that never will shut the door,

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore!"

Well, of course, there is always another side of the story.

I used to read these two poems (and many others) from William J. Bennett's The Book of Virtues, to Sam when he was little.  An excellent read aloud book for young children; highly recommended.