Famous Canny Poems by Famous Poets

These are examples of famous Canny poems written by some of the greatest and most-well-known modern and classical poets. PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous canny poems. These examples illustrate what a famous canny poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate).

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Song of the Artesian Water

by Andrew Barton Paterson
 Now the stock have started dying, for the Lord has sent a drought; 
But we're sick of prayers and Providence -- we're going to do without; 
With the derricks up above us and the solid earth below, 
We are waiting at the lever for the word to let her go. 
Sinking down, deeper down, 
Oh, we'll sink it deeper...Read more of this...

Bindle Stiff

by Robert William Service
 When I was brash and gallant-gay
Just fifty years ago,
I hit the ties and beat my way
From Maine to Mexico;
For though to Glasgow gutter bred
A hobo heart had I,
And followed where adventure led,
Beneath a brazen sky.

And as I tramped the railway track
I owned a single shirt;
Like canny Scot I bought it black
So's not to show the dirt;
A handkerchief held all...Read more of this...

Romance

by Robert William Service
 In Paris on a morn of May
I sent a radio transalantic
To catch a steamer on the way,
But oh the postal fuss was frantic;
They sent me here, they sent me there,
They were so courteous yet so canny;
Then as I wilted in despair
A Frenchman flipped me on the fanny.

'Twas only juts a gentle pat,
Yet oh what sympathy behind it!
I don't let...Read more of this...

Green Grow The Rashes

by Robert Burns
 Green grow the rashes, O!
Green grow the rashes, O!
The sweetest hours that e'er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O!

There's nought but care on every han'
In every hour that passes, O;
What signifies the life o' man,
An 'twere na for the lasses, O?

The warl'ly race may riches chase,
An' riches still may fly them, O;
An' though at last they catch them...Read more of this...

Dream Song 21: Some good people daring and subtle voices

by John Berryman
 Some good people, daring & subtle voices
and their tense faces, as I think of it
I see sank underground.
I see. My radar digs. I do not dig.
Cool their flushing blood, them eyes is shut-”
eyes?

Appalled: by all the dead: Henry brooded.
Without exception! All.
ALL.
The senior population waits. Come down! come down!
A ghastly & flashing pause, clothed,
life called; us do.

In a madhouse heard...Read more of this...

A Song For Kilts

by Robert William Service
 How grand the human race would be
 If every man would wear a kilt,
A flirt of Tartan finery,
 Instead of trousers, custom built!
Nay, do not think I speak to joke:
 (You know I'm not that kind of man),
I am convinced that all men folk.
 Should wear the costume of a Clan.

Imagine how it's braw and clean
 As in the...Read more of this...

Birds Of A Feather

by Robert William Service
 Of bosom friends I've had but seven,
 Despite my years are ripe;
I hope they're now enjoying Heaven,
 Although they're not the type;
Nor, candidly, no more am I,
 Though overdue to die.

For looking back I see that they
 Were weak and wasteful men;
They loved a sultry jest alway,
 And women now and then.
They smoked and gambled, soused and swore,
 --Yet...Read more of this...

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