They have christened me Iris; and why? oh, why?

Because, like the rainbow so bright,

I bring my own welcome, and tell my own tale,

And am hailed by all hearts with delight:

And this, this is why

I am named for the beautiful bow in the sky.

The rainbow, it cometh 'mid sunlight and tears,—

The tears it soon chaseth away;

I banish all sighs for the year that is passed,

And the future in sunlight array:

And this, this is why

I am named for the beautiful bow in the sky.

The rainbow, it telleth of promise and love,

Of hope, with its gay, golden wing;

The rainbow is painted in colours most fair,

By the hand of the Father of love;

So the genius and talent my pages bespeak,

Are inspired by the Great Mind above:

And this, this is why

I am named for the beautiful bow in the sky.