Father Ryan's Poems

by Abram J. Ryan

THESE VERSES (which some friends call by the higher title of Poems--to which appellation the Author objects),--were written at random,--off and on,--here,--there,--anywhere,--just when the mood came, with little of study and less of art,--and always in a hurry. Hence they are incomplete in finish, as the Author is;--tho' he thinks they are true in tone. His feet know more of the humble steps that lead up to the Altar and its Mysteries, than of the steeps that lead up to Parnassus and the Home of the Muses. And souls were always more to him than songs. But still somehow,--and he could not tell why,--he sometimes tried to sing. Here are his simple songs. He never dreamed of taking even lowest place in the rank of authors. But friends persisted; and finally a young lawyer friend, who has entire charge of his business in the book, forced him to front the world and its critics. There are verses connected with the war published in this volume not for harm-sake, nor for hate-sake, but simply because the Author wrote them. He would write again in the same tone and key under the same circumstances. No more need be said, except that these verses mirror the mind of THE AUTHOR.

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Father Abram Joseph Ryan

Reviews

[Mike]

Though i graduated from his high school, i had no knowledge of his poetry and his fame in the late 1800's. He gave readings and lectures throughout New England and the upper Midwest. There is a wonderful statue of him in Father Ryan Park, Mobile, AL. I visited it several years ago and shared with some men sitting under shade trees who Fr. Ryan was and the fact that he had been pastor of a church not far from the park.

[Paul/Suzette Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real treasure! The poet Priest of the Confederacy! Most of the poems are religious in nature, but there are a handful of patriotic poems lauding our conquered nation, it’s noble cause, and it’s true heroes. This is where the spirit of a people can be found—in their poetry, songs, literature, & art. These come first. The apologetics & efforts to preserve the signs, symbols, markers, and memories of a people mean nothing without the cultural underpinning...

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was most moved by Father Ryan's poems about death, loss, and the faith. I found many of the other poems to be trite and uninteresting, but I'm not a very astute critic, so others may find them interesting.