The Project Gutenberg eBook ofPoems

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofPoemsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: PoemsAuthor: Jennie Earngey HillRelease date: March 23, 2016 [eBook #51536]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison. Chuck Greif and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: PoemsAuthor: Jennie Earngey HillRelease date: March 23, 2016 [eBook #51536]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison. Chuck Greif and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)

Title: Poems

Author: Jennie Earngey Hill

Release date: March 23, 2016 [eBook #51536]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison. Chuck Greif and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS ***

POEMSBYJENNIE EARNGEY HILLcolophonBOSTONTHE GORHAM PRESSMCMXVIII

BYJENNIE EARNGEY HILLcolophonBOSTONTHE GORHAM PRESSMCMXVIII

Copyright, 1918, by Jennie Earngey Hill———All Rights ReservedMade in the United States of America———The Gorham Press, Boston, U.S.A.TOMY BELOVED AUNTMRS. JENNIE HEWES CALDWELL,Ph.D.

Whispering brooklet running nigh,Do tell why love must die,Brooklet onward toward yon sea,Speak to me! speak to me!Do tell why love must die,Tiny brooklet flowing by.For aye! Oh, tell why!Brooklet gently gurgling byMust love die e’en for aye,Tell why shouldst love die;Oh, why must love die,Tell why! For aye! For aye!

Whispering brooklet running nigh,Do tell why love must die,Brooklet onward toward yon sea,Speak to me! speak to me!Do tell why love must die,Tiny brooklet flowing by.For aye! Oh, tell why!

Brooklet gently gurgling byMust love die e’en for aye,Tell why shouldst love die;Oh, why must love die,Tell why! For aye! For aye!

The above was set to the music “The Brook” by Theodore Lack.

Slipping, sliding, high then low,O’er the ice and fleecy snow,Hearts attune with all around,Merrily away we bound;While jubilant our spirits flingEchoes of their reigning king,Till circling air seems drunken quite,Breathing revelry tonight.Boist’rously we raise good cheer,One in voice and accent clear;As bracing wine such atmosphere,With love like thine,Maiden of the dell,Loud thy praises swell,Life’s rhapsodyFor me but thee,Thru the livelong dayIf at work or play.’Tis living dew thy lips impart,Nectar to a fainting heart;Thine eyes—gems of beauteous hues,Amber mid the blues,Gleam Paradise—’gainst yon sparkling snow,Twinkling as they go;Thy cheeks transmit roseate light,Tint the dancing white,Heart-throb bespeaksEarthly paragon,Binding two in one,In this—our sleighing time, our playing time,Our sleighing, playing, sleighing time.Moonbeams falling, gently traceLovers’ secrets on each face,As to and fro they skip—perchance,Lending joy with each fond glance,While slipping, sliding, high then low,O’er the ice and drifting snow,Till circling air seems drunken quiteBreathing revelry tonight;Boist’rously we raise good cheer,One in voice and accent clear;As bracing wine such atmosphereWith love like thine,Maiden of the dell,Loud thy praises swell,Life’s rhapsody for me but thee,Thru the livelong dayIf at work or play.I love you in the sleighing time,I love you with a love sublime,Oh, give to me that heart of thine,In this, our sleighing time, our playing time,Our sleighing, playing, sleighing time.

’Tis living dew thy lips impart,Nectar to a fainting heart;Thine eyes—gems of beauteous hues,Amber mid the blues,Gleam Paradise—’gainst yon sparkling snow,Twinkling as they go;Thy cheeks transmit roseate light,Tint the dancing white,Heart-throb bespeaksEarthly paragon,Binding two in one,In this—our sleighing time, our playing time,Our sleighing, playing, sleighing time.

Moonbeams falling, gently traceLovers’ secrets on each face,As to and fro they skip—perchance,Lending joy with each fond glance,While slipping, sliding, high then low,O’er the ice and drifting snow,Till circling air seems drunken quiteBreathing revelry tonight;Boist’rously we raise good cheer,One in voice and accent clear;As bracing wine such atmosphereWith love like thine,Maiden of the dell,Loud thy praises swell,Life’s rhapsody for me but thee,Thru the livelong dayIf at work or play.

I love you in the sleighing time,I love you with a love sublime,Oh, give to me that heart of thine,In this, our sleighing time, our playing time,Our sleighing, playing, sleighing time.

Set to music “Arabesque,” by Eric Meyer Helmund.

Thou pretty, dainty Dresden maid,Tripping thru the grass,Dandelion lifts shining head,Gleaming as you pass.(Chorus)Thou Dresden maidMy heart rings true,Speak but the word,I’d give my life for you.Simply clad with flowered kirtle,Ever bloom more fair!Azure petals like yon myrtleTouch thy nutbrown hair.(Chorus)Wistful eyes of violet shade,Tinting morn’s own dew,Love pure as thine could never fade,Grown in heart so true.(Chorus)Blossoms adored by thee, sweetheart,Flourish but a day,One smile thou canst to me impart,Lendeth hope alway.(Chorus)

Thou pretty, dainty Dresden maid,Tripping thru the grass,Dandelion lifts shining head,Gleaming as you pass.

(Chorus)

Thou Dresden maidMy heart rings true,Speak but the word,I’d give my life for you.

Simply clad with flowered kirtle,Ever bloom more fair!Azure petals like yon myrtleTouch thy nutbrown hair.

(Chorus)

Wistful eyes of violet shade,Tinting morn’s own dew,Love pure as thine could never fade,Grown in heart so true.

(Chorus)

Blossoms adored by thee, sweetheart,Flourish but a day,One smile thou canst to me impart,Lendeth hope alway.

(Chorus)

Buzz! buzz!You’re just a honey-bee,Yet a simple song you say,Turneth work into play.Buzz! buzz!As flitting here and there,Among the flowers by the way,Work turneth to play.Buzz! buzz!While seeking clover sweetFor its nectar thru the day,Work turneth to play.Buzz! buzz!A lesson true you’d teach,A song in the heart alway,Turneth work into play.

Buzz! buzz!You’re just a honey-bee,Yet a simple song you say,Turneth work into play.

Buzz! buzz!As flitting here and there,Among the flowers by the way,Work turneth to play.

Buzz! buzz!While seeking clover sweetFor its nectar thru the day,Work turneth to play.

Buzz! buzz!A lesson true you’d teach,A song in the heart alway,Turneth work into play.

Oh, tiny goldfinch richly clad,Your joyousness bespeaks the morn,Whose beauty tends to make you glad,And eager just that you were born.You dart about o’er crag and moor,To us bequeath your choicest boon,Your silvery note so soft and pure,A simple, mellow twitter-tune.You ride away on rippling crest,Over hill and stony shallow,You seek the thorny thistle-pest,As it thrives on field and fallow.Your sheaves of down you garner in,And store them in your covert-mow,Away from human noise and din,To fluff your nest in bush or bough.The Hoary Alder catkin-hung,Where tinkling waters wander round,And Marigold is Music’s tongue,Here holds your cup in fork fast-bound;A leafy canopy of green,Above eggs touched by sea and sky,Which ling’ringly, you laid unseen,Save by the pale Day-moon on high.

Oh, tiny goldfinch richly clad,Your joyousness bespeaks the morn,Whose beauty tends to make you glad,And eager just that you were born.

You dart about o’er crag and moor,To us bequeath your choicest boon,Your silvery note so soft and pure,A simple, mellow twitter-tune.

You ride away on rippling crest,Over hill and stony shallow,You seek the thorny thistle-pest,As it thrives on field and fallow.

Your sheaves of down you garner in,And store them in your covert-mow,Away from human noise and din,To fluff your nest in bush or bough.

The Hoary Alder catkin-hung,Where tinkling waters wander round,And Marigold is Music’s tongue,Here holds your cup in fork fast-bound;

A leafy canopy of green,Above eggs touched by sea and sky,Which ling’ringly, you laid unseen,Save by the pale Day-moon on high.

Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Playing round our cottage door,Fruits and food are here a-plenty,Laid away for winter’s store.Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Whiter even than the snow,As it dances all about you,Have a pear before you go.Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Why are you so timid, pray!Cold will soon be fast upon us,Let’s be friends, don’t run away.

Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Playing round our cottage door,Fruits and food are here a-plenty,Laid away for winter’s store.

Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Whiter even than the snow,As it dances all about you,Have a pear before you go.

Bonny bunny!Tracks so funny!Why are you so timid, pray!Cold will soon be fast upon us,Let’s be friends, don’t run away.

I love you in the springtime,Still I love you in the fall,And I love you in the winter,With the snowflakes merry call.Yes, I love you best of allWith the snowflakes as they fall,While the winters biting cold,Makes me sense a warmth untold.Then I love you in glad summer,When birds and flowers breathe cheer,To me this seems the gladdest timeOf all the season’s year.But I love you best of all,With the snowflakes as they fall,While the winter’s biting coldMakes me sense a warmth untold.

I love you in the springtime,Still I love you in the fall,And I love you in the winter,With the snowflakes merry call.

Yes, I love you best of allWith the snowflakes as they fall,While the winters biting cold,Makes me sense a warmth untold.

Then I love you in glad summer,When birds and flowers breathe cheer,To me this seems the gladdest timeOf all the season’s year.

But I love you best of all,With the snowflakes as they fall,While the winter’s biting coldMakes me sense a warmth untold.

Our Jersey cow is just as kindAnd friendly as can be,A wisp of hay I hand to her,She gives her milk to me.All day she tramps the meadow grass,And browses on the hill,She seems to like the clover best,While wand’ring at her will.Moo! moo! she always seems to say,She never minds the showers,We children love to hear her low,Thru all the pleasant hours.

Our Jersey cow is just as kindAnd friendly as can be,A wisp of hay I hand to her,She gives her milk to me.

All day she tramps the meadow grass,And browses on the hill,She seems to like the clover best,While wand’ring at her will.

Moo! moo! she always seems to say,She never minds the showers,We children love to hear her low,Thru all the pleasant hours.

I wish I were a stream, O brook!If but for a single day,Then would we wander on and on,While rippling a roundelay.I wish I were a stream, O brook!Just to sense all you would say,Then could we wander on and on,Still babbling along our way.I wish I were a stream, O brook!Each forest-flower I’d know,Like wild birds we’d sail on and on,Joyfully prattling we’d go.I wish I were a stream, O brook!We’d wind thru lane and lea,Playfully gurgling on and on,Till at last we’d reach the sea.

I wish I were a stream, O brook!If but for a single day,Then would we wander on and on,While rippling a roundelay.

I wish I were a stream, O brook!Just to sense all you would say,Then could we wander on and on,Still babbling along our way.

I wish I were a stream, O brook!Each forest-flower I’d know,Like wild birds we’d sail on and on,Joyfully prattling we’d go.

I wish I were a stream, O brook!We’d wind thru lane and lea,Playfully gurgling on and on,Till at last we’d reach the sea.

“Give God the glory,” ’tis thus speaks my soul,“Take thou my life, Lord, in sweetest control;When blinding storms of sorrow assail me,Oh, thou! who didst walk on blue Galilee,Beneath thy rich mantle sheltered I’d be.Dub thou me knight, Lord, our most holy King,While rend’ring thee service, trophies I’d bring,If mid life’s fray thou wouldst call me today,Oh, Christ! who canst raise the fallen, lift me,To bask in thy presence eternally.Truth as the emblem, ’tis right royally,Under her flag, firm, united we’d be,Dark powers of might at thy Word prostrate lie,While blazoned with love our banner waves high,In homage to him who reigneth—the King.

Dub thou me knight, Lord, our most holy King,While rend’ring thee service, trophies I’d bring,If mid life’s fray thou wouldst call me today,Oh, Christ! who canst raise the fallen, lift me,To bask in thy presence eternally.

Truth as the emblem, ’tis right royally,Under her flag, firm, united we’d be,Dark powers of might at thy Word prostrate lie,While blazoned with love our banner waves high,In homage to him who reigneth—the King.

Ethereal bursts yon morn, bluebirds awake,Joy-notes break forth, Heav’n born, for love’s sweet sake,Thy face, in waking dreams, reveals the day,Sunlight in beauty streams, pointing the way.’Tis but a dainty flower I bring to you,Bathed in celestial light, mingled with dew,Still deeply rooted in this heart so true,Is wealth the world holds not, treasured in you.Fairest of all the bloom I proffer thee,Plucked from yon garden rare, Sincerity;Pure bud of enduring love, shield thou me,And bear my soul to God in chastity.

Ethereal bursts yon morn, bluebirds awake,Joy-notes break forth, Heav’n born, for love’s sweet sake,Thy face, in waking dreams, reveals the day,Sunlight in beauty streams, pointing the way.

’Tis but a dainty flower I bring to you,Bathed in celestial light, mingled with dew,Still deeply rooted in this heart so true,Is wealth the world holds not, treasured in you.

Fairest of all the bloom I proffer thee,Plucked from yon garden rare, Sincerity;Pure bud of enduring love, shield thou me,And bear my soul to God in chastity.

Thou Sun! whose smile wreathes early Morn,A cheerful light to those forlorn,And dries the dripping eyes of dawn,Bless Life’s fleet day ere she be gone.Teach her to shine as unto thee,A lesser light as needs must be,A ray bent toward lonely places,Sun! whose beams reflect glad faces.I ask when Life’s young day is done,E’en as thy afterglow, O Sun!I might bequeath one worthy song,A candle in a world of wrong.

Thou Sun! whose smile wreathes early Morn,A cheerful light to those forlorn,And dries the dripping eyes of dawn,Bless Life’s fleet day ere she be gone.

Teach her to shine as unto thee,A lesser light as needs must be,A ray bent toward lonely places,Sun! whose beams reflect glad faces.

I ask when Life’s young day is done,E’en as thy afterglow, O Sun!I might bequeath one worthy song,A candle in a world of wrong.

The golden sun sinksOn a bosom of blue,A-smiling for you;While each bird in the nestLulls her tired brood to rest,A-crooning for you.The weed-blossoms blowFull as wild flowers do,A-blooming for you;’T is my heart casts a spell,Sets the plants in the dellA-springing for you.A moth of the nightIs my love—ever true,A-winging for you;Like yon firefly it glows,As it kindleth anewA-longing for you.

The golden sun sinksOn a bosom of blue,A-smiling for you;While each bird in the nestLulls her tired brood to rest,A-crooning for you.

The weed-blossoms blowFull as wild flowers do,A-blooming for you;’T is my heart casts a spell,Sets the plants in the dellA-springing for you.

A moth of the nightIs my love—ever true,A-winging for you;Like yon firefly it glows,As it kindleth anewA-longing for you.

Sometimes when western lamps burn low,I feel thee near, tho thou art far,Doth parting heal I long to know,Or distance deeper brand the scar.Sometimes when chill the winds that blow,Thy spirit calms the atmosphere,A zephyr heartstrings’ lyric bow,Warm strains of melody I hear.Sometimes when in the evening glow,My soul seems interlocked with thine,While artful shadows come and go,I pause to quaff a drink divine.

Sometimes when western lamps burn low,I feel thee near, tho thou art far,Doth parting heal I long to know,Or distance deeper brand the scar.

Sometimes when chill the winds that blow,Thy spirit calms the atmosphere,A zephyr heartstrings’ lyric bow,Warm strains of melody I hear.

Sometimes when in the evening glow,My soul seems interlocked with thine,While artful shadows come and go,I pause to quaff a drink divine.

’Tis midnight!One lone star stands a fiery sentinel,Whose eagle eye portrayeth silence well,Keeping watch!’Tis midnight!The screechowl’s plaintive scream pierces the gloom,Alone goes she forth from her cavern tomb,Making moan!’Tis midnight!Wrapt in the mourning garment of despair,One thot “Alone” enshrouds the mystic air,Unsought!’Tis midnight!A doleful bell peals forth its dismal dirge,Alone—dim spectres tread that haunted vergeDeath’s own.

’Tis midnight!One lone star stands a fiery sentinel,Whose eagle eye portrayeth silence well,Keeping watch!

’Tis midnight!The screechowl’s plaintive scream pierces the gloom,Alone goes she forth from her cavern tomb,Making moan!

’Tis midnight!Wrapt in the mourning garment of despair,One thot “Alone” enshrouds the mystic air,Unsought!

’Tis midnight!A doleful bell peals forth its dismal dirge,Alone—dim spectres tread that haunted vergeDeath’s own.

Bleak and chill!Bleak and chill!Winter winds are bound to blow,Thru the valley, o’er the hillAt their will.Winter wind!Do be kind!I know little children fourThe wolf stands ever howlingAt their door.Winter wind!Oh, be kind!Just to those who lack for food,You devour their scanty fuelIn such mood.Bleak and chill!Bleak and chill!Tho your winds must ever blow,Teach the heart of him who hathAll the woe.

Bleak and chill!Bleak and chill!Winter winds are bound to blow,Thru the valley, o’er the hillAt their will.

Winter wind!Do be kind!I know little children fourThe wolf stands ever howlingAt their door.

Winter wind!Oh, be kind!Just to those who lack for food,You devour their scanty fuelIn such mood.

Bleak and chill!Bleak and chill!Tho your winds must ever blow,Teach the heart of him who hathAll the woe.

Apple blossoms everywhere!White wings sailing scented air,To fairyland—on vernal breeze;Art thou wafting love’s message—From the trees?

Thou master! deftly as Nature herself,Awakes yon sleeping bud in early spring,E’en neath thy gentler, guileless touch, methinksA soul opes wide, ’tis Music’s wakening.Thou, shapen in clay, art by Heav’n moulded,Thru thee I sense both human and divine,This, God’s gift, within thyself enfolded,Pervades the air my spirit breathes of thine.Bear me afar, beyond majestic portal,Down loyal Art’s lost corridor of Time,Human-hearted soul, echo immortal,Lead thou me inspired by living notes sublime.

Thou master! deftly as Nature herself,Awakes yon sleeping bud in early spring,E’en neath thy gentler, guileless touch, methinksA soul opes wide, ’tis Music’s wakening.

Thou, shapen in clay, art by Heav’n moulded,Thru thee I sense both human and divine,This, God’s gift, within thyself enfolded,Pervades the air my spirit breathes of thine.

Bear me afar, beyond majestic portal,Down loyal Art’s lost corridor of Time,Human-hearted soul, echo immortal,Lead thou me inspired by living notes sublime.

When love is there, one asks not whence he came,Enough to know the wealth he doth bestow;A budding heart blossoms, then bursts the same,Whether in realm of high estate or low.Crimson the flow’r, touched by the life it gives,Rooted in works of faith, love ever lives,Aglow with thrilling warmth of sentiment,Each soul becomes a fount of sweet content.The bloom, crushed, turns to Mother Earth once more,Anew seeketh strength in rising as before;Tho years of healing help to right the wrong,A bleeding heart can never beat as strong.

When love is there, one asks not whence he came,Enough to know the wealth he doth bestow;A budding heart blossoms, then bursts the same,Whether in realm of high estate or low.

Crimson the flow’r, touched by the life it gives,Rooted in works of faith, love ever lives,Aglow with thrilling warmth of sentiment,Each soul becomes a fount of sweet content.

The bloom, crushed, turns to Mother Earth once more,Anew seeketh strength in rising as before;Tho years of healing help to right the wrong,A bleeding heart can never beat as strong.

Buoyant like the waves our spirits,Borne eastward by the foaming brine,Till the band in lazy ripples,Set drifting shoreward “Auld Lang Syne.”Smile for smile, amid tear for tear,Lavished in love that fateful day,While frothing billows furtively,Tossed high their caps in mirthful play.A frown soon crost the gleaming sky,Darker and graver it became,Glow’ring wrath then fell from on high,Her anger struck our ship aflame.A host of patient suppliants,With penitence each heart did burn,Crash! one seething surge broke o’er us,Rending asunder bow from stern.Does God still live where torment dwells,Thou branded spectre of the night,I challenge Peace, if Peace be God,To throttle Hell, who seemeth might.

Buoyant like the waves our spirits,Borne eastward by the foaming brine,Till the band in lazy ripples,Set drifting shoreward “Auld Lang Syne.”

Smile for smile, amid tear for tear,Lavished in love that fateful day,While frothing billows furtively,Tossed high their caps in mirthful play.

A frown soon crost the gleaming sky,Darker and graver it became,Glow’ring wrath then fell from on high,Her anger struck our ship aflame.

A host of patient suppliants,With penitence each heart did burn,Crash! one seething surge broke o’er us,Rending asunder bow from stern.

Does God still live where torment dwells,Thou branded spectre of the night,I challenge Peace, if Peace be God,To throttle Hell, who seemeth might.

Mid each glimmer of sunlight,On the early morning dew,Refreshing thots came trooping,Old-time memories and you.I could hear thy footsteps falling,Doubt in sleep all cast asunder,Dreaming of thee, ever dreaming,Lost in love I ceased to wonder.’Twas the bluebird’s lyric note,Welcomed me to light of day,With thy kiss upon my lips,Wrapt in ecstasy I lay.

Mid each glimmer of sunlight,On the early morning dew,Refreshing thots came trooping,Old-time memories and you.

I could hear thy footsteps falling,Doubt in sleep all cast asunder,Dreaming of thee, ever dreaming,Lost in love I ceased to wonder.

’Twas the bluebird’s lyric note,Welcomed me to light of day,With thy kiss upon my lips,Wrapt in ecstasy I lay.

Only last night,My life! my light!Sailing the sea ’neath silent moon,This heart sent thee its sovereign boon;Thy spirit seemed one glorious gem,Set in a royal diadem.Come thou to me,Over the sea!Growl and grumble!Fume and mumble!Madcaps! let Fury lead the way,Our loyal ship will reach the bay,Peace caroleth her song of cheer,Where love abides there is no fear,Toss and tumble!Rage and rumble!Sing foaming sea,Sing thou to me!Praise love in modest litany,Swell forth one mighty symphony,Till God’s exultant hosts reply,Swing low! then high!Rest draweth nigh!Breathe yawning Deep,The breath of Sleep.

Only last night,My life! my light!Sailing the sea ’neath silent moon,This heart sent thee its sovereign boon;Thy spirit seemed one glorious gem,Set in a royal diadem.Come thou to me,Over the sea!

Growl and grumble!Fume and mumble!Madcaps! let Fury lead the way,Our loyal ship will reach the bay,Peace caroleth her song of cheer,Where love abides there is no fear,Toss and tumble!Rage and rumble!

Sing foaming sea,Sing thou to me!Praise love in modest litany,Swell forth one mighty symphony,Till God’s exultant hosts reply,Swing low! then high!Rest draweth nigh!Breathe yawning Deep,The breath of Sleep.

Would you blame a feller any,If the sun was all aglow,If his pa had gone to meetin’,An’ his ma was soon to go.Then if his ma had rigged him outIn togs for Sunday-school,If his chum came by and argued’Twas no need to go by rule.Is there really any harm,If a feller does no wrong,But jus’ takes his fishin’ tackleAn’ goes marchin’ straight along;Jus’ to where the fish are bitin’At a mos’ outlandish rate,Could you blame a feller any’Cause he went to diggin’ bait.Could you blame a feller’s daddy,Should he make a solemn vow,That his sonny’d get a trouncin’,Tho ’twould start a family row;When to class the kids came troopin’,Every feller, all save one,When he found the fishin’ tackleTo be missin’—like his son.“To think,” says he, “a son of mineWould break the Sabbath day,He’ll cause this head to bow in shameWhile trudgin’ earth’s highway.”Then a righteous rage o’ertook him,Like a ship that’s lashed at sea,While his long strides brought him nearerThe spot where his son might be.Alas! when he saw his son there,Jus’ atuggin’ at the line,With a monster fish adanglin’;(’Twas a sport he too thought fine!)His old eyes jus’ fell a-dancin’,Like the waves borne by a breeze,An’ his soul was set a-singin’With the birds in nearby trees.Would you blame a feller’s daddy,Should he break a solemn vow,An’ help a lad to lug awayAll the fish the law’d allow?Who’d begrudge dad any pleasure,(When his sun was bendin’ low,)Which might set his old heart beatin’With lost chords of long ago.

Would you blame a feller any,If the sun was all aglow,If his pa had gone to meetin’,An’ his ma was soon to go.

Then if his ma had rigged him outIn togs for Sunday-school,If his chum came by and argued’Twas no need to go by rule.

Is there really any harm,If a feller does no wrong,But jus’ takes his fishin’ tackleAn’ goes marchin’ straight along;

Jus’ to where the fish are bitin’At a mos’ outlandish rate,Could you blame a feller any’Cause he went to diggin’ bait.

Could you blame a feller’s daddy,Should he make a solemn vow,That his sonny’d get a trouncin’,Tho ’twould start a family row;

When to class the kids came troopin’,Every feller, all save one,When he found the fishin’ tackleTo be missin’—like his son.

“To think,” says he, “a son of mineWould break the Sabbath day,He’ll cause this head to bow in shameWhile trudgin’ earth’s highway.”

Then a righteous rage o’ertook him,Like a ship that’s lashed at sea,While his long strides brought him nearerThe spot where his son might be.

Alas! when he saw his son there,Jus’ atuggin’ at the line,With a monster fish adanglin’;(’Twas a sport he too thought fine!)

His old eyes jus’ fell a-dancin’,Like the waves borne by a breeze,An’ his soul was set a-singin’With the birds in nearby trees.

Would you blame a feller’s daddy,Should he break a solemn vow,An’ help a lad to lug awayAll the fish the law’d allow?

Who’d begrudge dad any pleasure,(When his sun was bendin’ low,)Which might set his old heart beatin’With lost chords of long ago.

Thy day is far spent,And thy night draweth nigh,Life’s sunset at even,Shines forth from on high.Eternity’s dawn,As the closing of day,’Tis shadow or sunbeamPrecedeth thy way.A life such as thine,Is inspired from above,Reborn of God’s spirit,Immersed in his love.Sweet strains from afar,Thy rich entrance doth raise,While yon Heavenly choirSings anthems of praise.

Thy day is far spent,And thy night draweth nigh,Life’s sunset at even,Shines forth from on high.

Eternity’s dawn,As the closing of day,’Tis shadow or sunbeamPrecedeth thy way.

A life such as thine,Is inspired from above,Reborn of God’s spirit,Immersed in his love.

Sweet strains from afar,Thy rich entrance doth raise,While yon Heavenly choirSings anthems of praise.

The meadowlark wingeth his grassy way,His plaintive note rings clear,He seeketh shelter ’neath the new-mown hayHis flute-like voice we hear“Spring o’ the year!Spring o’ the year!”His coat, brown-mottled, with silver’s soft streak,While nesting, serves him well,When summer’s sun sears the grass, dries the creek,’Tis then he rests a spell.In meadow-dell!In meadow-dell!This jaunty fellow in vest of yellowAnd crescent-collar black,A cap to match; his music how mellow,Chap with the whistling knack.“Tseer”—alack!“Tseer”—alack!A ground nest by him of grasses is made,Distant his dream of fear,Till the spotted white eggs his mate has laid,Begin to disappear.“Tsev—tseer!”“Tsev—tseer!”The thieves of sad fate are mice of the mead,Or else some reptile rare,Again he builds stronger, with greater heed,Then guards his home with care.“Tseer” dire deed!“Tseer” dire deed!’Tis golden sheaf-time and each spotted shell,Appears to be pipping,Alas! the tale of the binder to tell,She come clipping, clipping.Thru meadow-dell!Thru meadow-dell!The doom of the sputtering mates is sealed,The reaper spurns his guest,As he cuts a swath of the ripened field,Brings havoc to the nest.“Tseer” oprest!“Tseer” oprest!Still sputtering, the mates fly far a-field,Such grief was theirs that day,And here is to hoping their fate may be sealed,Next year a diff’rent way.“Tseer” sad lay!“Tseer” sad lay!

The meadowlark wingeth his grassy way,His plaintive note rings clear,He seeketh shelter ’neath the new-mown hayHis flute-like voice we hear“Spring o’ the year!Spring o’ the year!”

His coat, brown-mottled, with silver’s soft streak,While nesting, serves him well,When summer’s sun sears the grass, dries the creek,’Tis then he rests a spell.In meadow-dell!In meadow-dell!

This jaunty fellow in vest of yellowAnd crescent-collar black,A cap to match; his music how mellow,Chap with the whistling knack.“Tseer”—alack!“Tseer”—alack!

A ground nest by him of grasses is made,Distant his dream of fear,Till the spotted white eggs his mate has laid,Begin to disappear.“Tsev—tseer!”“Tsev—tseer!”

The thieves of sad fate are mice of the mead,Or else some reptile rare,Again he builds stronger, with greater heed,Then guards his home with care.“Tseer” dire deed!“Tseer” dire deed!

’Tis golden sheaf-time and each spotted shell,Appears to be pipping,Alas! the tale of the binder to tell,She come clipping, clipping.Thru meadow-dell!Thru meadow-dell!

The doom of the sputtering mates is sealed,The reaper spurns his guest,As he cuts a swath of the ripened field,Brings havoc to the nest.“Tseer” oprest!“Tseer” oprest!

Still sputtering, the mates fly far a-field,Such grief was theirs that day,And here is to hoping their fate may be sealed,Next year a diff’rent way.“Tseer” sad lay!“Tseer” sad lay!

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