Richard Cory-A Song, and a Poem

So, I was reading the 100 Best Poems of All Time, compiled by Leslie Pockell, which I checked out from Lackman Library last week. And I ran across a poem in it which I had thought was only a song. It's called Richard Cory, and there's a wonderful song by Simon and Garfunkel of the same title. I was unaware of the poem, though, so I was surprised when I came across it. I'm partial to Simon and Garfunkel's song, because I believe them to be one of the best bands of their era, and Paul Simon to be the best song-writer I've ever heard as far as lyrics go, but the poem is good even if only because it inspired the song.
So, this post may be the only of its kind ever, but we'll see. If you're aware of any other poems that inspired songs, let me know. What I'll do in this post is first post the poem, then the song (which you can only hear through my blog, and not through feedblitz, if you're subscribed), and then Simon and Garfunkel's song lyrics.
The song and poem are about how somebody who looked like he had everything he could ever need or want still wasn't content...I think Simon and Garfunkel convey it better than the poem does. But I'll let you draw your own conclusions, and you can comment with your thoughts if you're disposed to do so.
Alright. Here's the poem, by Edwin Arlington Robinson:

Richard Cory

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,

We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, 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 through his head.

Now the song, hosted by Grooveshark, an amazing website:

And finally, the song lyrics:

Richard Cory

(P. 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 grateful for his patronage and 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.