diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5e73ffee..db36e1ee 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -524,13 +524,15 @@ around it. In fact, you can provide your own if you want.
 
 ### Defining your own help
 
-You can provide your own Help command or your own template for the default command to use
+You can provide your own Help command or your own template or help strings for the default command to use
 with following functions:
 
 ```go
 cmd.SetHelpCommand(cmd *Command)
 cmd.SetHelpFunc(f func(*Command, []string))
 cmd.SetHelpTemplate(s string)
+cmd.SetShortHelpString(s string)
+cmd.SetLongHelpString(s string)
 ```
 
 The latter two will also apply to any children commands.
diff --git a/command.go b/command.go
index 34d1bf36..599e5628 100644
--- a/command.go
+++ b/command.go
@@ -240,6 +240,16 @@ func (c *Command) SetHelpTemplate(s string) {
 	c.helpTemplate = s
 }
 
+// SetShortHelpString sets short help string to be used. Application can use it to set custom short help string.
+func (c *Command) SetShortHelpString(s string) {
+	c.helpCommand.Short = s
+}
+
+// SetLongHelpString sets long help string to be used. Application can use it to set custom long help string.
+func (c *Command) SetLongHelpString(s string) {
+	c.helpCommand.Long = s
+}
+
 // SetVersionTemplate sets version template to be used. Application can use it to set custom template.
 func (c *Command) SetVersionTemplate(s string) {
 	c.versionTemplate = s