There Was a Cherry-Tree - Read by ALG
There Was a Cherry-Tree - Read by ALG

There Was a Cherry-Tree

A calm reading of James Whitcomb Riley’s "There Was a Cherry-Tree" paints a gentle picture of childhood, memory and gratitude through simple, vivid images. The episode offers a brief, soothing moment centred on blossoms, a blue jay and a boy’s sweet recollections.

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1:00•20 May 2012

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There Was a Cherry-Tree

James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 18 recordings of There Was a Cherry-Tree by James Whitcomb Riley. This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 13, 2012. Riley began his career writing verses as a sign maker and submitting poetry to newspapers. Thanks in part to an endorsement from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he eventually earned successive jobs at Indiana newspaper publishers during the latter 1870s. Riley gradually rose in prominence during the 1880s through his poetry reading tours. He traveled a touring circuit first in the Midwest, and then nationally, holding shows and making joint appearances on stage with other famous talents. Regularly struggling with his alcohol addiction, Riley never married or had children, and was involved in a scandal in 1888 when he became too drunk to perform. He became more popular in spite of the bad press he received, and as a result extricated himself from poorly negotiated contracts that limited his earnings; he quickly became very wealthy. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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Episodes: 36

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Cherry Blossoms and Childhood: A Gentle Reading of James Whitcomb Riley

Episode Overview

Presents a single, short poem by James Whitcomb Riley focused on a cherry tree and childhood memory.
Uses clear, memorable images like “bloomy snows” and a vividly coloured blue jay.
Highlights how ordinary scenes from childhood can stay bright in the mind over time.
Offers a calm, straightforward reading style that keeps the focus on the poem’s language.
Provides a brief, soothing listening option centred on reflection and gratitude.

“There was a cherry-tree, give thanks and joy, there was a bloom of snow, there was a boy, there was a blue-jay of the realest blue, and fruit for both of you.”

Ever fancy a few quiet minutes where your mind can wander back to simpler, childlike moments? This short poetry reading of **"There Was a Cherry-Tree" by James Whitcomb Riley**, read by ALG, offers exactly that kind of gentle pause. The episode features a single poem, focused on a cherry tree whose "bloomy snows" stay vivid in memory, even as time moves on.

Through simple but striking images – the white blossoms, a blue jay whose colour once seemed “oh blue as jet”, and cherries “far too sweet, but for a boy to eat” – the piece leans into childhood wonder and how it lingers in the mind. You’ll hear how the tree, the bird and the boy are all tied together in a small, almost dreamlike scene that’s easy to picture.

Riley’s language is straightforward and rhythmic, the kind of verse that’s easy to follow even if poetry isn’t normally your thing. ALG’s reading keeps the tone calm and clear, letting the words carry the feeling without overdramatic flair. It’s the sort of recording you might put on when you want something soothing, brief, and beautifully old-fashioned.

Because the poem circles around memory, tenderness and gratitude – "give thanks and joy, there was a bloom of snow, there was a boy" – it may especially appeal to anyone who likes reflective moments, whether they’re on a personal growth journey, unwinding at the end of the day, or just in the mood for classic literature.

If you’ve got a few spare minutes and want to sink into a soft, nostalgic scene built from cherry blossoms, birdsong and childhood, this reading is a gentle way to do it. What memories of your own does a single tree, smell, or season bring back?