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oldtime dfl_er

(7,121 posts) Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:32 PM Monday

Richard Cory

Richard Cory

By Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

8 replies

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Highlight:

Richard Cory (Original Post) oldtime dfl_er Monday OP

Simon And Garfunkel said it well also SSJVegeta Monday #1

That was my introduction to the story... Wounded Bear Monday #2

Mine too!! SSJVegeta Monday #3

The Wings version is great too Freddie Monday #6

Havent heard it SSJVegeta Monday #7

This message was self-deleted by its author Freddie Monday #4

Recommended. H2O Man Monday #5

Memorized the poem & committed its lesson to my life outlook in the 7th grade . . . Journeyman Monday #8

SSJVegeta

(2,012 posts)

1. Simon And Garfunkel said it well also

Reply to oldtime dfl_er (Original post)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:36 PM

Monday

They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole town
With political connections to spread his wealth around
Born into society, a banker's only child
He had everything a man could want, power, grace and style
But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I'm living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory
The papers print his pictures almost everywhere he goes
Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at a show
And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht
Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he's got
But I, I work in his factory
And I curse the life I'm living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory
He freely gave to charity, he had the common touch
And they were grateful for his patronage, and they thanked him very much
So my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines read
"Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head"
But I, I work in his factory
And I curse the life I'm living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory

Wounded Bear

(63,486 posts)

2. That was my introduction to the story...

Reply to SSJVegeta (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:41 PM

Monday

SSJVegeta

(2,012 posts)

3. Mine too!!

Reply to Wounded Bear (Reply #2)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:44 PM

Monday

I'm 40 but grew up with parents who loved Simon And Garfunkel.

Unfortunately I didnt know about this song until my girlfriend at the time (and now wife), bought me the Song Of Silence album for my birthday when I turned 28. I was shocked I never heard it!

Freddie

(9,998 posts)

6. The Wings version is great too

Reply to SSJVegeta (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:48 PM

Monday

Denny Laine singing.

SSJVegeta

(2,012 posts)

7. Havent heard it

Reply to Freddie (Reply #6)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 05:07 PM

Monday

But will soon!

Thank you

Response to oldtime dfl_er (Original post)

Freddie This message was self-deleted by its author.

H2O Man

(78,253 posts)

5. Recommended.

Reply to oldtime dfl_er (Original post)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 04:48 PM

Monday

Journeyman

(15,408 posts)

8. Memorized the poem & committed its lesson to my life outlook in the 7th grade . . .

Reply to oldtime dfl_er (Original post)

Mon Nov 10, 2025, 05:16 PM

Monday

it has served me well now for over 60 years.

Simon & Garfunkel released their version maybe three or more years after I first read Robinson. It was pleasant to see Paul and I shared an appreciation for the same sentiments.

I'll never forget, and I taught my daughters and now my granddaughters: some people are poor; all they have is money.

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