The Poetry of George Henry Abbott Harris (Vol. 1)
The Poetry of George Henry Abbott Harris (Vol. 1)
George Henry loved reading and writing and especially poetry. Included in this chapter are several of his writings. They are not in date order.
Say would U like to know
A bout how squares & angles go
R ather arduous U wil say
A ltho it seems as light as play
H ury up now every day
E very little scrap of rag
L itered round put in a bag
L end to it, a little time
E very color put in line
N ow it’s getting to look fine
A nother lot now stitch
N ow mis the white with pitch
D ark stuff between the light
A nd now some pretty stars
M ixed up with longer bars
Y ou’l have the Planet Mars
C if U can’t excel
H ave now your sewing wel
R efrain from rotten thread
I nto the lining sped
S omeday U may be wed
T o quite a nice young lad
I n this U may be glad
A nd that wil please y’r Dad
N ow U must not look mad
N either take on so bad
A nd U’I not get the gad
H ave patience now my girls
A nd never shake y’r curls
R efrain from angry howls
R ember fight’s & growls
I ncreases dirty towels
S ome trouble to speak vowels.
P lease now excuse this ryme
L et’s spend a moment’s time
E very hour should be
S pent for eternity
A nd then al wil be wel
N o descending into Hell
T o upper regions soar
G reat spirits are above
R effulgent with the love
O f him who died for al!
V eerily for great & small
E ven the Lord of al,
A nd now I’ll close in time,
P lease overlook this rhyme
R emember this the day
I n which 4 eyes did play
L ights joyous happy ray
T he 29th they say
65 on Saturday.
Dedicated to Geo. Henry -April 10th on his 16th birthday
“16 years have passed away since what was thy natal day
Half of it has been in play, that’s a truth U can’t gainsay
Let us reckon now a while and a little time beguile
Multiply by 52, ‘til give the weeks 832
Multiply as others do it will give the no. of days
Quite a large sum it wil raise 5824. And a little fraction more
Now reduce to hours you’l see, multiply by 23
Then add once the multiplicand and you have it in your hand
1390000 (see) 776 twil be.
Now if U want to further go, the no. of minutes, I wil show
Multiply by 60 then unto millions U attain.
Then to have a little bother we wil reckon up the other
Into seconds we wil bring lots of figures- quite a string.
500 milions odd, you have lived upon this sod.
Of this great terrestrial ball, give praise to him who helps us al
U can boast a noted period, I don’t wish to have U wearied
But in April U wil find lots of great men of the kind
Born upon this wicked earth, a Jeferson, a Wadsworth
Washington Irving as they say, Shakespeare, Napoleon, Henry Clay
Madam Destale & old Bucannon ( who sent the army on the Mormon)
Then Monroe & Oliver Cromwel, Pres. Grant if I’m informed wel.
Begotten in the Covenant from the upper region sent;
In the reformation time U were in the other clime
It is the month that God to man revealed the everlasting plan
In which he organized his cause & gave to us his Heavenly laws.
U are a member of his church, now better leave sin in the lurch;
And rize also the earthly toys that robs us of al Heavenly joys.
U had a mother once my boy, U were her 1st born Son, her joy.
Death took her from us, soon in life I felt it keen to lose my wife.
But thanks to Him who lives above whose ful of kindness & of love
Inspired in the heart of a dear Girl to fil a Mother’s place a while!
And in return for her kind car, blessings of a Mother share.
It’s best to study al U can til U get to be a man
Every principle to scan then find out the Gospel plan,
Pardon him who made this rhyme and took up your precious time,
If U do his faults discover, overlook now and forever.”
(a foot note on Madam DeStale..
His reference to her shows me what a reader he was. Her father was the Finance Minister to Louis XVI, a thankless job to say the least. She was well educated
and wrote extensively.
She was present at the Estates General of 1789 and at the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
She fled Paris during the years of terror and was a thorn in Napolean’s side with her writings)
“Sent to Lizzy Glew ( Bro John Sherland’s daughter Milbourne Aust.)
“Twas 1856 in a house built up of sticks
Eliza Jane was born to us, a little thing to make that fus.
36 hrs from Heaven to Earth, it seem’d a long time for 1 birth
But God be praised his wil be done, 16 months more brought a son.
The reformation was in force, many around did change their course
God’s spirit was so freely given, it seemed a fortaste of heaven!
After Geo. Henry. Cyrus came, from Prest. Wheelock took his name
Then John William came below, next a sister rather slow
To live with us she did disdain, straight went back to heaven again.
Her mother soon followed her track, which left our spirits on the rack.
In 1862, the month of May the 30th too
I’d spark a girl & asked her thrice to make a home with me her choice.
To be a mother to my bairns she threw aside her youthful charms
And came right down at once you’l see, she was as busy as a bee.
James cam along within a year, and then what seem’d to be more queer
2 came at once or nearly so, 7 in 2 years that was not slow!
We done so wel, we think it would be wise to render others good;
So I promptly in the spring of 66, another ring.
The last not least in many things, she’l let U know whene’er she sings
Or cooks a lot of pies & cakes, the crust of which falls off in flakes.
Here comes the truth I must confess, excuse me if I now disgress
But I have proved, depend upon, 2 wives are better far than one!
When one is cross, the otherer smiles, surrounds you with her winning wiles
And should they both get in a pet, your face to principle must set.
U’l show a good example then, for surely they’l come round again
And love U, yea with al their heart for showing out the manly part!
And when you need some sweet advice, U’l have it from them in a trice
Perhaps they’l not think as U do, for they have other things in view,
I cannot blame them if they do, their inward feelings, outward show
Neither wil it be my fault if they both should be turned to salt.
Now we’l lay joking al aside, and have a wil to stem the tide
We’l push together, then we’l start and each one try to do his part.
The same as when Abner did come, 5 days mor Bernice came along.
Then in a very little time, Viv & Rolla, joined the line.
Then came the little “one 2 many” who came along without a penny
Although the last they’re not the least in intellect, might be the best.
The following was written for his son J. W. Shorland Harris’s birthday
“John Wm Sherland (sp) Harris, this is the month troops entered Paris
In their last sad cruel war (I was not there I do declare)
Stonewall Jackson lived & died, one young lady made a stride
To earn the name Victoria had, if she can win it I’ll be glad.
Broken up, the fountains were, Moses cros’d the Red Sea there
Without a steamship so I’m told in the sacred writ of old. Mohamet died, Wellington born, the Mary sank loaded with corn
And not a soul to tel the tale, or ear to catch the drowning wail.
Columbus, he had better luck, found out this land, so says the book.
In 1492, and then he thot his work was through.
In 1506 he died & left us in this fix to follow him, or stay behind
But lots to follow were inclined, but I came by another rout
I could not talk or write about, for West I went, before my eyes
Did any 1 of U surprise.
As if the East side was too small I had upon the west to cal
Say, give me room that I may dwel, in Zion, Laury called it Hel.
I lived 10 years upon that side (A short spel after Mother died)
But her I never minded I’m sure, 2 other Mothers were in store.
I then went out, some thot it best to go where I could get a rest.
Their names I need not tel to U, I think twoud fil a page or 2.
But here I am this very day, upon the Hills (tho not at play)
I’m herding stock, that’s what they say on this my 13th birthday
My father has run out of money- when I was born, it would not be funny
To see him herding other’s cows HO! HO! HO! HO! O what a noise.
I was born at 4 P.M. 5 minutes added not to 10; on Saturday the 5th of May
1860 Rogation day
I must try to be a man and do al the good I can
It matters not, as how it’s done, I’d like to hear “Wel done, my son.”
I wil not concude this ditty, or U wil say it is a pity
To waste the paper, pen and ink, about such foolishness U think
But I must have some time for play- it is not a quiet way?
I have no wish now to annoy, I want to be a pleasant boy.
That when I grow up to be older I then shal be a little bolder
Spend al my time in wisdom’s ways and serve the Lord thro al my days.
“1875, June 27th-Joseph & Hyrum were cruelly butchered on this day at Carthage in 1844”
“In 1852 I left my native land to travel o’er sea, hils & plains
And mountains, rocks & sand.
To fulfil Gods great comands I left my friends so dear
Who would not listen to his word, his holy name revere
When 1st my eyes beheld these, the bulwarks of the saints
I felt a joy thrill thro my soul, that drove away complaints,
I realized with those I saw like me they’d left ther al
Among the nations of the earth to obey the gospel cal.
Tho strangers to me at the time, I felt my spirit swell
That I had joined our Father’s plan to save ourselves from Hell.
They had been driven from their homes by the Christian world-so called,
Because they feared the God of Heaven and did obey His laws.
Repent, said he, to Joseph Smith and wash away your sins
The Holy Spirit U shal have with gifts & blessings in.
Then gather up to Zion, the God of Heaven wil
Now save, exalt & sanctify al those who love him still.
There’s not one now that hears my voice, regrets their journey here
If they have with heart & soul desired God to revere.
Then bear with patience al your woes, Ye Saints of Latter Days
For soon your trials wil be o’er U then can sing his praise!”
Entered on Nov 26, 1875- Day He signed Divorce papers
“Ladies! I believed thee true, and I was blessed in thus believing
But now I Mourne that ere I knew girls so fair, but so deceiving
Few have ever loved like me, Oh! I have loved them too sincerely
And a few have ere deceived like thee, alas deceived me so severely.
Fare thee wel, yet think thee wel on one whose bosum bleeds to doubt thee
Who now would rather trust those smiles and die with thee, than live without thee
Farewell, farewell! I think of thee, thou leavest me many a bitter token
For see, distracting women, see, my peace is gone, my heart is broken
Farewell! Farewell!”
“Feb 27, 1876- Before we left the old house the girls wanted me to write a Valentine for them to Dady Thorn & Dady Neff. Here is 1-“
“Strange things doth happen nowadays besides the usual prayer & praise
Which made our fathers to rejoice as there was then no other choice.
But now the gospel has restored the fulness of God’s holy word
We are not satisfied with smoke, although we are allowed to joke.
And having heard the gospel news, and being assisted by our muse,
Take joy in various ways to win a ful forgiveness of our sin.
The Gospel comprehend the whole, God for the body & the soul;
If we celestial joys atain, wisdom’s word points to the same.
We must be temperate with meat, or anything we wish to eat;
Fish, foul, or any other thing, to glutonize it is a sin.
Hot or strong drinks we must avoid if we wish to persue the road
That leads us up the narrow way, then who would in the broad road stay.
God made the earth on the 1st day, at least that what the Bible’s say.
A fit abode for man or kin, but then the Devil entered in.
He knew the woman was a tool to overcome poor Adam’s soul;
And leave his Eden Garden then, to wander out in shame & sin.
But thro his fal now God be praised, we are now here in Latter days;
With plans before us for to cope and come from under Satan’s yoke.
God’s hand is over al his race, his eye can pierce remotest space;
His arm protect the tender lamb, then unto him al praise belong.
But I’m digressing from the plan that’s wrought now by the hand of man;
When after God’s plan, tries to walk, inspired by Him in wisdom sought,
Preach the gospel, long & loud, cry repent, remove the cloud
Of error, from the eyes of men, and wash away their every stain.
Bring them to Zion, let them be patters of true nobility;
Teach them the law, that wil obtain, great power o’er the souls of men.
By precept, practice al the time, God’s holy laws that are sublime
That doeth the golden rule embrace, and speak of men before their face.
Do unto others as U would with them (if in your place they stood)
Do unto U & God wil love and send his spirit from above.
And should they stumble once or twice, try to them be very nice
Remember how the Saviour plead for the poor sheep they thought was dead
And how rejoiced they were to find the one that they had left behind,
And seemed to have a greater love in consolations from above,
Than over al the 99, that never strayed in al that time
But kept up by the sheperds crook, and drank clear liquid from the brook.
Forgive me if I’ve penned this rhyme and occupied your precious time;
But while the young enjoy the spice, I thought the old onews to entice.
So mirthfuly spend a little time, with poor ideas, turned to rhyme
U’ll think this is e Neff of joke, my valentine love now to provoke.”
“Mar 1st when merchandized we had lots of candy for the children on their birthdays, but have to change tactics & introduce poetry instead (it is cheaper).
lots of candy for the children on their birthdays, but have to change tactics & introduce poetry instead ( it is cheaper). Following was written 3 years ago:”
“Abner Britnal is my name, neer al that sees me knows the same
I was born in 67, March 1st at 3 AM.
It was before the break of day that unto Father, Hi did say;
Be quick get out, U go they way, bring Mrs. Prat without delay.
Cal round by Sarah Driggs & then make al good hast to come again,
And I wil try & wait til U do hurry back, what shal I do?
The door is opened wide & then, before we could count 8 or 10
A cry is heard, it’s like “Amen”, it sounds again, again, again!
The scissors now does it ful share there’s no more crying in dispare
Around the table we repair, the bounties of the meal to share;
I’m grown now to be 6 years old, there’s none around about more bold;
I’m in & out of everything, I go on, as I did begin.
And when I rise to higher portals having outstripped these slower mortals
Who are so lazey & so slow that they may always stay below,
I don’t know what in al to say, I’m fond of work, fonder of play
And thus I go on day by day, I think I’m through! U needn’t stay.”
“1876 Mar 6-Today Bernice is 9 years old. 3 yr ago I made the following:”
Bernice Rawlings, this is the day above al others (some wil say)
When thy blue eyes 1st saw the light and gave the audience such delight
A large fine boy, 11 pounder, with head so large & none much sounder
What he wil make no tongue can say, a farmer, tradesman, actor, play,
U’ve grown now to be 6 yr old, Wednesday’s the day as I am told
At ½ past 11 in the morning March, the month that U were born in
We’ve watched U now for many a day, we’ve seen U when in earnest play
From 1867, the year you were to us given, we’ve watched U now for many a day
We’ve said that U were born for good for strange U talk when in that mood
And that is nearly al the time for U are given much to rhyme.
Now be a good boy al thy days thy mother often fondly prays
That U may ever keep from harm, and prove to al our foes alarm.
That thy last days may be in peace, when al strife & wars have ceased
And happy may U ever be surrounded by your family.
This is the wish of many a soul that U may wickedness control.
Seek wisdom’s way & keep so ever is the earnest hope of they dear Father
Shun al bad company who sin in lies, swearing, or wicked think
And every evil wish, no smother, twil please & satisfy they Mother.”