  Farewell, dear lass, it grieves me much That thou must leave us here alone, Thou gav’st our summer months a touch Of happiness, as seldom known, Thou gavest such a sunny cheer, That every day seemed like a play, And now, when autumn’s winds blow drear, Thou needs must go so far away! The leaves lie yellow on the lawn, The blackbirds gather into flocks, The thrush and lark have long since gone, The crows sit cawing on the rocks, The heavy clouds soar wild and black Across the meadows, sear with frost, I stand alone beneath their wrack, And feel that summer’s joy is lost. But I shall ne’er forget thy smile, And ever in my heart shall ring The laughter which did e’er beguile Each brooding care to take its wing, Thy winsomeness which woke my soul From lethargy’s dun dreariness Shall leave a glamour over all, And even winter’s darkness bless. So fare thee well, my brown-eyed lass, May heaven keep thee pure and sweet! May ne’er a shadow o’er thee pass Of evil’s harm or dark deceit! And mayst thou from the Southern clime Return when April’s breezes blow, To lift their wings and northward go. |
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