The Joys Of Prairie Farmers 1884.

        We let Ontario farmers sing
        About the joys the woods do bring,
        But we in regions of Northwest
        Do think prairie farms the best,
        For those poor men who swing the axe
        On their strength 'tis a heavy tax,
        For several years they naught can grow
        While from the first we plow and sow,
        And while we plow we don't get thumps
        By running it against the stumps,
        And where wild Buffalo now doth feed
        There very soon they'll sow the seed,
        Where Indian wigwams now do stand
        Will be the site of cities grand,
        And where the deer and wolf doth roam
        Millions will build each happy home,
        So quick as if by magic wand
        They will arise o'er the whole land,
        But this one fact we won't deny
        Ontario she can supply,
        For so skilfully she doth invent
        Each agricultural implement.

James McIntyre

James McIntyre was a Canadian poet, most notable for his poetry concerning cheese, cheese-making, dairying, and dairy products. Often referred to as 'The Cheese Poet,' McIntyre's work is celebrated for its earnestness and unintentional humor, making him both a beloved and an infamous figure in literary circles. He emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1851 and settled in Ingersoll, Ontario, where he became a successful businessman and community leader.

James McIntyre

The Shires On The Moray Frith.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

Gray Hairs.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

St. Thomas, 1884.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

Snake And Its Young.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

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

Life In The Woods.

(Life of the early settlers.)


        Canada hath wealthy yeomen
        Whose fathers overcome the foemen,
        The enemy they boldly slew
        Was mighty forests they did hew,
        And where they burned heaps of slain
        Their sons now reap the golden grain,
        But in the region of Northwest
        With prairie farms they are blest.
        Though this to them it may seem good
        Yet many blessings come from wood,
        It shelters you from the fierce storm
        And in the winter keeps you warm,
        For one who hath his forest trees
        He builds his house and barn with ease,
        And how quick he gets from thence
        Timber for bridge and for his fence.

James McIntyre

Canadian Romance.

        An English youth to Canada came,
        A labourer, John Roe by name,
        His little wealth had made him bold,
        Twenty sovereigns in gold;
        He was industrious and wise
        And e'en small sums did not despise,
        He added to his wealth each year
        For independence he loved dear,
        He knew a laborer he would be
        Forever in the old country,
        His forefathers had tilled the ground
        And never one had saved a pound.
        On beds of down they did not lie
        And frugally their goods did buy,
        Their one luxury around their door
        A few choice flowers their garden bore,
        But never hoped to own the soil
        But serve as hinds to sweat and toil,
        To work an...

James McIntyre

Canadian Charms.

        Here industry is not in vain,
        For we have bounteous crops of grain,
        And you behold on every field
        Of grass and roots abundant yield,
        But after all the greatest charm
        Is the snug home upon the farm,
        And stone walls now keep cattle warm.

James McIntyre

Dairy Odes.

        The sweet milkmaid of early days
        Her own household she ably sways,
        And her daughters now milk the cows,
        And her sons they now guide the plows.

        These pleasing changes on a farm
        Doth give to rural life a charm,
        Let occupation none upbraid,
        But honor plowman and milkmaid.

        For Burns with glory did endow
        And wove a garland round the plow,
        The source from which all wealth doth spring
        And happiness to all doth bring.

        Our muse it doth refuse to sing
        Of cheese made early in the spring,
        When cows give milk from spring fodder
        You cannot make a good cheddar.

        The quality is often vile
        Of cheese that is ...

James McIntyre

Province Of Ontario.

        In the land of woods and lakes,
        Pure happiness each one partakes,
        Who is sound in body and in mind,
        And to industry is inclined.

        Here in great lakes we do take pride,
        And them with Uncle Sam divide,
        Other lakes seem inferior
        In size to great Superior.

        And Canadians do take pride,
        In Huron's wide expanded tide,
        But it onward flows forever,
        Through St. Clair lake and river.

        But soon again it doth expand,
        Into Erie's lake so grand,
        Then behold its wondrous charms,
        When embraced in Niagara's arms.

        Then it more blessings doth bestow,
        On pure bosom of Ontario,
        Round it our towns and ...

James McIntyre

Prologue To South Ontario Sketches.

The district lying South of Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe, including Toronto.


        My friends we sing Canadian themes,
            For in them we proudly glory,
        Her lakes and rivers and her streams,
            Worthy of renown in story;
        And in these leaves we hope is strewn
            Some wheat among the chaff,
        And maple boughs by rude axe hewn,
            Where one may find a rustic staff;
        To help him o'er the rugged lines
            If he to weariness inclines.
        Some see no beauties near to home,
            But do admire the distant far,
        They always love abroad to roam,
            View glory in but far off star;
        But let it never be forgot
            That distant hills when closer se...

James McIntyre