Every June, a boyish excitement bubbles up in the speaker—it’s picnic season, and the Sunday-schools are heading out to the countryside. He fondly recalls past adventures: getting rained on at the Baptist picnic (his grandpa joked it was a baptism), having a heap of fun with the Episcopalians, and being wowed by the Presbyterians' endless puddings and pies. This year, the Methodists are hosting on June 21st, “D.V.” (God willing), and he’s already committed. Though he’s a self-described “liberal universalist,” he’s willing to overlook theological differences for a shared love of fried chicken and fellowship. The poem is full of warm, gentle humor—poking fun at church distinctions while celebrating the simple, unifying pleasures of a summer outing. The mood is light and nostalgic, like a fond childhood memory retold with a grin.
Picnic-time — Summary
It's June ag'in, an' in my soul I feel the fillin' joy That's sure to come this time o' year to every little boy; For, every June, the Sunday-schools at picnics may be seen, Where "fields beyont the swellin' floods stand dressed in livin' green"; Where little girls are skeered to death with spiders, bugs, and ants, An' little boys get grass-stains on their go-to meetin' pants. It's June ag'in, an' with it all what happiness is mine - There's goin' to be a picnic, an' I'm goin' to jine!
One year I jined the Baptists, an' goodness! how it rained! (But grampa says that that's the way "baptizo" is explained.) And once I jined the 'Piscopils an' had a heap o' fun - But the boss of all the picnics was the Presbyteriun! They had so many puddin's, sallids, sandwidges, an' pies, That a feller wisht his stummick was as hungry as his eyes! Oh, yes, the eatin' Presbyteriuns give yer is so fine That when they have a picnic, you bet I'm goin' to jine!
But at this time the Methodists have special claims on me, For they're goin' to give a picnic on the 21st, D. V.; Why should a liberal universalist like me object To share the joys of fellowship with every friendly sect? However het'rodox their articles of faith elsewise may be, Their doctrine of fried chick'n is a savin' grace to me! So on the 21st of June, the weather bein' fine, They're goin' to give a picnic, and I'm goin' to jine!