Shake hands, we shall never be friends, all’s over
Title
Shake hands, we shall never be friends, all’s over
Creator
A.E. Housman
Source
Google books
Publisher
A.A. Knopf
Date
1936
Text
Shake hands, we shall never be friends, it's all over;
I only vex you the more I try.
All's wrong that ever I've done or said,
And nought to help it in this dull head:
Shake hands, here's luck, good-bye.
But if you come to a road where danger
Or guilt or anguish or shame's to share,
Be good to the lad that loves you true
And the soul that was born to die for you,
And whistle and I'll be there.
I only vex you the more I try.
All's wrong that ever I've done or said,
And nought to help it in this dull head:
Shake hands, here's luck, good-bye.
But if you come to a road where danger
Or guilt or anguish or shame's to share,
Be good to the lad that loves you true
And the soul that was born to die for you,
And whistle and I'll be there.
Citation
A.E. Housman, “Shake hands, we shall never be friends, all’s over,” Victorian Queer Archive, accessed May 15, 2024, https://victorianqueerarchive.omeka.net/items/show/54.