Famous Family Poem

There's nothing quite as valuable as family for those lucky enough to have one. That is the theme of this poem, The Stick-Together Families, published in 1917 in the book Just Folks by Edgar A. Guest from Detroit, Michigan. Guest (1881 -1959) wrote a poem a day, seven days a week for thirty years as a columnist for the Detroit Free Press. He was known as the People's Poet for his poems championing the traditional values of the typical American family of the first half of the 20th century.

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My husband was in the Navy when we met. We were from different states. When he was discharged, we decided to live in a state that was between our two states, making our travels home about...

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Famous Poem

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The Stick-Together Families

By Edgar A. Guest more Edgar A. Guest

The stick-together families are happier by far
Than the brothers and the sisters who take separate highways are.
The gladdest people living are the wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside that no power but death can break.
And the finest of conventions ever held beneath the sun
Are the little family gatherings when the busy day is done.

There are rich folk, there are poor folk, who imagine they are wise,
And they're very quick to shatter all the little family ties.
Each goes searching after pleasure in his own selected way,
Each with strangers likes to wander, and with strangers likes to play.
But it's bitterness they harvest, and it's empty joy they find,
For the children that are wisest are the stick-together kind.

There are some who seem to fancy that for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest they must wander far from home.
That the strange friend is the true friend, and they travel far astray
they waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away,
But the gladdest sort of people, when the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters who together share their fun.

It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth,
That hears the sweetest music and that finds the finest mirth;
It's the old home roof that shelters all the charm that life can give;
There you find the gladdest play-ground, there the happiest spot to live.
And, O weary, wandering brother, if contentment you would win,
Come you back unto the fireside and be comrade with your kin.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Penny Mahlyn
2 years ago

My husband was in the Navy when we met. We were from different states. When he was discharged, we decided to live in a state that was between our two states, making our travels home about equal distance. The death of my mother's husband made me want to move back home to be close to her, and so we did. All these years my husband has been distanced from his family. I now feel terrible about that, and this is why...our oldest married son has, this year, moved out West to the home state of his wife. She missed her family, and I understand that. But now I miss my son terribly. This poem says what my heart says.

by Raelene J. Elliss, Australia
5 years ago

This poem and its beautiful sentiments resonate loudly in our modern world.

by Dottie Mae
6 years ago

I was trying to come up with something to post on Facebook so my 2 sons could read it. They're 27 & 29 years old, and we're very close. I wanted to say something about family that would touch their heart and soul. I wanted them to really understand how much we needed each other and how our peace and contentment in this world was being together instead of aimlessly searching for what we already have. Anyway, I decided to look at poems on Google, so I searched families that stick together, and I found your poem. It was perfect, exactly what I was wanting to say. I will be reading more of your poems.