Compare the song by Paul Simon called Richard Cory (It’s posted below) to the poem with the same title, Richard Cory, by Edwin Arlington Robinson (It’s posted below), since the poem inspired the Paul Simon song. Perhaps some of you are familiar with this song already. (The lyrics can be found below.) What elements of the original seem to intrigue Simon? What has he added and omitted, and why? Also, if you have the opportunity, listen to Simon’s song on Youtube or elsewhere so you can hear the tone.

The song Richard Cory by Paul Simon:

They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole town
with political connections to spread his wealth around
born into society a banker’s only child
He had everything a man could want power, grace and style
But I work in his factory and I curse the life I’m living
and I curse my poverty and I wish that I could be
Oh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory
The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goes
Richard Cory at the opera Richard Cory at a show
and the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht
oh he surely must be happy with everything he’s got
But I work in his factory and I curse the life I’m living
and I curse my poverty and I wish that I could be
Oh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory
He freely gave to charity he had the common touch
and they were greatfull for his patronage and they thanked him very much
so my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines read
Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head
But I work in his factory and I curse the life I’m living
and I curse my poverty and I wish that I could be
Oh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory

The poem Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson:

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean-favoured and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
Good Morning! and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich, yes, richer than a king,
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine — we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked and waited for the light,
And went without the meat and cursed the bread,
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet in his head.

Works Cited

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. Richard Cory. American Literature Since the Civil War. Create edition. McGraw-Hill, 2011. 137. E-book