The Carpenter's Son
A.E.Housman
1859 to 1936
Type into the gaps to complete the poem. To reset the game, click on the "Reset Game" button located below the poem. This will clear all the words you've placed in the blanks, and resetting the poem to its original state with empty blanks. If you prefer to drag and drop words, click the Drag & Drop button below. You can also print out the poem for use in the classroom.
"Here the hangman stops his cart:
Now the best friends must part.
Fare you well, for ill fare I:
Live, lads, and I will die."
"Oh, at had I but stayed
'Prenticed to my father's trade,
I stuck to plane and adze,
I had not lost, my lads."
"Then I might have built
Gallows-trees for other chaps,
Never dangled on my own,
I but left ill alone."
"Now, you see, hang me high,
And the people passing by
Stop shake their fists and curse;
So 'tis come from to worse."
"Here hang I, and right and
Two poor fellows hang for theft:
All the same's luck we prove,
Though the midmost hangs for love."
"Comrades all, that stand and gaze,
Walk henceforth in ways;
See my neck and save your own:
Comrades all, leave ill alone."
"Make some day a decent end,
Shrewder fellows than your friend.
Fare you well, for fare I:
Live, lads, and I will die."