Hik-Tee-Dik! - The War-Cry Of Billy And Buddy

When two little boys - renowned but for noise -
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! -
May hurt a whole school, and the head it employs,
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
Such loud and hilarious pupils indeed
Need learning - and yet something further they need,
Though fond hearts that love them may sorrow and bleed.
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!

O the schoolmarm was cool, and in no wise a fool;
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
And in ruling her ranks it was her rule to rule;
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
So when these two pupils conspired, every day,
Some mad piece of mischief, with whoop and hoo-ray,
That hurt yet defied her, - how happy were they! -
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!

At the ring of the bell they 'd rush in with a yell -
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
And they'd bang the school-door till the plastering fell,
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
They'd clinch as they came, and pretend not to see
As they knocked her desk over - then, My! and O-me!
How awfully sorry they'd both seem to be!
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!



This trick seemed so neat and so safe a conceit, -
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! -
They played it three times - though the third they were beat;
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
For the teacher, she righted her desk - raised the lid
And folded and packed away each little kid -
Closed the incident so - yes, and locked it, she did -
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!

James Whitcomb Riley

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.