Goin’ Barefoot

I’ve highlighted a few poems here before. Of course, there is John Greenleaf Whittier’s “The Barefoot Boy“. But I’ve also pointed out Burges Johnson’s “Goin’ Barefoot“, and Edwin Sabin’s “The Barefoot Trail“.

One thing they do is point out just how going barefoot for kids really was romanticized, accepted, and celebrated in the past.

Whittier’s poem is from around 1855, while the other two are from around 1905.

Well, here’s another one, from around 1920, before bare feet became so demonized. It’s from the collection called “The Sunshine Trail”, by Charles Thomas Duvall.

        Goin’ Barefoot

My! I’m glad when Summer comes
An’ we’re done with books an’ sums,
An’ we pack our things an’ go
Out to visit Uncle Joe.

He lives in the country far
Where no streets or trolleys are,
An’ us kids we run an’ play
Happy, barefoot, all the day.

You believe me it’s some fun
To get off your shoes and run
Down the long an’ dusty lane
To the road and back again.

Or to paddle in the pool
From the spring, so clear an’ cool,
Tramp around jus’ where you will,
Crost the meadow, up the hill.

Gettin’ scratched by briars a bit,
Mebbe, but not mindin’ it,
Till you feel so fine an’ free
You’ll say, “No more shoes for me!”

Remember that: “No more shoes for me!”