Climb to my knee, little boy, little boy,— If you look, as the sun sinks low, Where the cloud-hills rise in the western skies, Each one with its crest aglow, O'er the rosy sea, where the purple isles Have beaches of golden sand, To the fleecy height of the great cloud, white, You may catch a gleam of the twinkling light At the harbor of Sunset-land. It's a wonderful place, little boy, little boy, And its city is Sugarplum Town, Where the slightest breeze through the candy trees Will tumble the bon-bons down; Where the fountains sprinkle their lemonade In syrupy, cooling streams; And they pave each street with a goody, sweet, And mark them off in a manner neat, With borders of chocolate creams. It's a children's town, little boy, little boy, With a great big jail, you know, Where "grown-ups" stay who are heard to say, "Now don't!" or "You mustn't do so." And half of the time it is Fourth of July, And 'tis Christmas all the rest, With plenty of toys that will make a noise, For Santa is king of this realm of joys, And knows what a lad likes best. Shall I tell you the way, little boy, little boy, To get to this country, bright? When you're snug in bed, and your prayers are said, You must shut up your eyelids tight; And wait till the sleepy old Sandman comes And gives you his kindly hand, And then you'll float in a drowsy boat, O'er the sea of rose to the cloud, remote, And the wonderful Sunset-land. |