IPS 3517 .V28 L6 1922 I Copy 1 i( m ove's Fireside Lyrics CQESORIGHT DEPOSm LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS i I V V*" .''7' . . Love's Fireside Lyrics By GEORGE M. IVERSON \s 1922 THE STRATFORD COMPANY Publishers BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ^it ■V"!';'' Copyright, 1922 The STRATFORD CO., Publishers Boston, Mass. The Alpine Press, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. SEP -5 1922 ©C1.A686008 Contents Page To . . ... . 1 Beautiful Annie . . 2 A Soul's Departure . . . . . 4 A Song of the Lark . . . . . 7 Forsaken . 9 Love Affairs . . . . • . 12 John and Me . 15 To the Rain, the Welcome Rain . . 16 Impressions . 17 Annie Marie . 19 My Soul, Oh, My Soul . . 21 Around Life's Corner . . 22 Simple Confession .... . 24 Once Upon a Time . . . . . 25 The Queenly Dead .27 Longing (The First Poem) . . 28 Longing (The Second Poem) . 29 CONTENTS Longing (The Third Poem) The Bird's Nest . Whither Thou Goest To Hazel To Annie Love's Deserted Castle To the Flowers of May To a Dying Bluebird To a Little Mother Blinda . The Wreck . A Word, a Smile ! . That Old Sweetheart of Mine To In Search of Quiet The Sinner's Prayer Her Letter To . To the Water-fall . Memories A Day in December To My Friend Page . 31 . 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 . 37 . 39 . 41 . 42 . 43 . 44 . 45 . 46 . 48 . 49 . 50 . 52 . 54 . 55 . 58 . 60 . 61 CONTENTS Come Gentle Spirit Yesterday The Pathless Woods The Fairy Ship For All Eternity . A Dream To My Friend (Mrs. A, My Haunted Castle Just Be Cheery To My Friend Man C. A Page . 62 . 63 . 65 . 67 . 69 . 71 . 72 . 73 . 75 . 76 . 77 Dedication To My Mother OH, LOVELY woman, in days of joy and hours of ease Uncertain, restless, hard to please. A moment here, a moment there, like quivering shade As changing as winds that blow o'er hill and glade. But when pain and sorrow wring the brow, An earthly angel thou. Oh, lovely woman, so oft in my thoughtless years Have I forgotten thee, in thy lonely hours of tears. Oh, God wilt thou forgive? Tonight I feel that bitter pain, That careless past, that needless shame. Oh, that she could stroke my feverish brow, That I could feel her angel hand so tender now. LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To- AS IF a bubbling stream, Sprang into flowing Your presence found me. Through desert sand, I felt the grace, Thy love that lightened up my dreary place And banished sorrow, that I find no trace To thy soul, fate has bound me. As if some fragrant flower, Burst into blooming. Your presence found me. Through life's grief and gloom, your smiling face Has lightened up my dreary place. Set my heart with love ablaze, Since to thy soul, fate has bound me. [I] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Beautiful Annie DAYS are weary, I can't forget Thy lovely face haunts me yet, Tho years have passed since we met. My beautiful Annie ! To dream of thee Is to awaken; I bid farewell anew, my heart is breaking Tho years have passed, I feel forsaken. My beautiful Annie ! Oh, my heart was anguish-torn, That day we did part, God alone can know my aching heart, My thoughts of thee, the loss such grief imparts ! My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie 1 Alone in sadness I recall, Still not in shame. LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Days I loved, with more than love, still in vain Tho years have passed, Oh, share the bitter pain, My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie ! All else is gone, In dreams alone I see your bright blue eyes ; I walk with you under bluer skies Where lilies bloom, where memory lies. My beautiful Annie ! All else is gone, thy love has flown, I dream that you regret, Tho years have passed, since we met, I love you yet, Oh, till my death ! My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie ! [3] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A Soul's Departure HOW dark and dismal the chambers are, A mother dwells in rum's foul filt happi- ness gone afar. See how rum's foul breath kills at last, A helpless soul sinking fast. A brute, a fiend, a wreck is he, The mother of his children, a slave was she. Now, on that black draped silent bier, Lies a father, to them, to her so dear. Dead! for rum's foul sake, so young. With all of youth, and life, for rum's foul sake so young. Oh, how shall we sing his funeral song? That his mourning kin may feel their dead did no wrong? That his kin may feel his soul is where the saints belong. Ring softly, bells ; ring softly, bells, A tale of woe, your music tells. [4] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Wretches! You loved Mm for the hours he gave; You cursed his soul, drove him on to a drunk- ard's grave. Who dares, now, of you, to tell that God who loves him well, Fiends, who dares, of you, to stand before God 's white throne. And deny among you, fiends, he fell? Or shed tears of grief to bring him home ? Ring softly bells ! Ring softly bells ! What grief, what sorrow your music tells. Oh, hear their mournful whispers of Nevermore, See those weeping friends, grieved by sorrow never felt before. Wretches, comfort now, a mother's grief, his life and bride. Ye that brought her grief, cursed his life Till that soul within him died. Console her now, speaks his God, by you, ye fiends of evil tongue. By you, who robbed him of health and wealth His youth, the joys of life, brot death to him so young. Ring softly bells ! Ring softly bells ! A mournful tale your music tells. [S] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Naught but memories, linger to tell The sorrow, the grief your music tells. Ring softly bells, with soothing chimes, To his mourning kin; Oh, tell of their golden times. Carol, oh, tolling bells, a sweeter lay. Mingle her joys, those dreams of her wedding day. Comfort, Oh, tolling bells, those breaking hearts Grieved by sorrow, their loved, their own, who forever parts. Oh, let thy song dwell in human hearts forever more. Snatch from the jaws of hell, a hopeless soul that God adores That floats adown the river of time. That hears no more thy silvery chimes. Nor thy mournful moaning, thy death-like groaning, Oh, tolling bells! [6] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Song of the Lark ONCE a woodlark was singing In the boughs gently swinging in the breezes above. In his song sweetly gloating, Where notes softly floating from the heavens of love. Unseen, I stood listening to the bird's joyful whistling, Till my soul with gladness was stirred, Till forgotten was sorrow. The cares of the morrow, Was lost in the song of the bird. In fancy I was roaming, In the still purple gloaming, with that lost love of mine. Whom the angles called Blessed. So they bore from this cursed earth, her soul so divine, To those realms of the heavens, for her soul was forgiven. LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS This was the song of the bird. There to dwell free from sorrow, Of this earth, and each morrow, Told to me in the song of the bird. To my soul, came the seeming. Pleasant thoughts of one dreaming the fairest of dreams Back to me came the hours, Those lanes and whose flowers we passed by the moon's silvery beams. In my soul sounds were ringing, 'twas a sweet woman singing. The sweetest songs ever heard, 'Twas her angel spirit singing. In those boughs gently swinging, In the form of a merry fairy bird. [8] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS , Forsaken I LIVE alone in the world of moans Since my Evelyn left me. Out into the boundless deep my soul was tossed, Cast ashore, forever lost. Misery mine, forever more. Oh, nameless Isle ! Is there with me souls that mourn as I? Some dying soul as mine, to share the taunts of never more? Oh Heavenly God ! If Thou art to me, heal my heart grief has broken, Forgive my ways, words, I may have spoken. Oh, take from my soul, that sorrow, a sinful world has left me! I fancy in dreams, the moon never beams, Since my Evelyn left me. Out into the boundless deep, my soul a wreck drifts into endless dark Dashed by sorrow, by grief unknown, alone in my frail bark. Misery mine forever more. [9] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh haunted Isle! Is there with me a heart as broken ? Lips, who such words as I have spoken? Oh, God of Love, If Thou art to me, Speak aS I would for me ; Whisper words of love! speak as I, if I only could for me. Bring her back ! Oh, God ! The grief that is mine to bear, Since that precious maiden left me. I mourn alone, in my world of moans, Since my Evelyn left me. Wretched, I damn a God of Love, a fiend from a nameless shore Wretch! I cried, Why cometh Thou? Her friendly love had found me To her precious soul has bound me. Fiend thou art! a thing of evil, hateful to my soul forever more. Oh, misery Isle ! Is there with me soul as mine forsaken ? Who mourn as I, feel the pain of love mis- taken? Oh, Heavenly God ! if Thou art to me, heal my heart forever broken [10] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, bring her back ! forgive my ways, words I may have spoken ! Oh, take from soul, that sorrow a sinful God has left me. Oh, Heavenly God, bear a moment the grief I bear, Since my Evelyn left me. Vf eather the boundless deep, that endless dark, Where my soul, a wreck, drifts alone in that frail bark. Oh, Heavenly God, mourn as I, as souls as mine who mourn forever more. Go feel the pain we bear, the curse of an earthly God, Whose haunts, a nameless shore. Oh, would Thou, then damn our souls because of human cursing? Would thou prepare but Hell, because of fatal love rehearsing? Oh, God of Old! If Thou art to me, heal my heart so sadly broken! Oh, take from my aching heart, the lie he left me as a token ! Oh, God ! The grief that is mine to bear Since that precious maiden left me ! LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Love AflFairs OH, THAT I could write so tender Of all that I remember In the golden days of yore! If I could, to Caroline, I would write a tender line; To Annie, I would write a score. Oh, 'tis her my soul remembers, Whether June or bleak December, Dearest, to my heart of yore. Then, to the radiant Mabel! Ah, no words of mine are able To tell the beauty of her image within my heart. Oh, my heart, when she was leaving, That can't sense of grieving. Or the sadness of the hour we did part ! To the radiant Clara! To my lost and lovely Clara ! My soul would chant a sweet refrain. [12] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A song of how her presence found me, Of that childish love that bound me. Oh, my aching heart, that nearly breaks to breathe her name ! Oh, may the heavens bless her, God and Angels there caress her; My childish Clara, so precious to my heart of yore. Her, whom I dream, is broken hearted, Haunted, Oh, poor soul, by faithless love departed. Wandering sadly as in life forever more. Of course, you think it folly, if I'd write about dear Molly — Even mention that her cheery letter came. Go ! Let my heart alone confessing No fault of thine, if I am guessing. Or, if my foolish self has gone insane ! Then suppose, I would mention that it was my intention To speak of Vivian, so queenly to my heart? Well then, go ! If thee I have the seeming Of some lonely heart a dreaming, Dreading ever that common worry, Oh if we part ! [13] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, you'd surely think me crazy, if I'd mention that a Daisy Had cast her anchor in the harbor of my heart. Oh, I live for her and only, And I dream of her when lonely. Oh, God, if ever we must part. Daisy who? I heart you guessing; Ah! her name I'm not confessing. But daily she casts anchor in the harbor of my heart. Oh, I live for her, and only. And I dream of her when lonely. Oh, my aching heart, if ever we must part ! [14] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS John an Me WE DON'T mean to worry, Jim, John ner me. A course we aint jealous, ner notMn', see, Jest don't like it, poor John an me. They all talk about their wonder girls, 'Cept John an Me. Blue eyes, black eyes, golden curls, All but John an me. Gosh ! an even sech a boy as Jim, The girls jest seem to worship him. A course we aint jealous ner nothin', see, Jest don't like it, poor John an me. [15] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To the Rain, the Welcome Rain! OH ! HEAR the clatter, the welcome patter of the rain ; See! the tear-like streaming, with a happy meaning, Down our window panes. Oh I how it thrills us, with gladness fills us, For fragrant flowers will bloom again. Oh! the summer has been the longest, sure the warmest, Without rain drops streaming, so hopeful in their meaning, Down our window panes. Oh! Let us be thankful, ever mindful to our God for his refreshing rain. [i6] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Impressions IiDLY I sat one day, t Dreaming, passing time away. Just to muse, I took a piece of clay And fashioned it in countless ways. I came again when days were past; That bit of clay was hard at last. The form I gave it still it bore, But I could change that form no more. I took a child's life one day And gently formed it day by day, And moulded it with my power and art That tender yielding heart. I came again when days were past, That childish life had grown fast ; He still that early impress bore. And I could change it never more. Someone spoke a word one day. Whether it was meant that way, — Still it broke a tender heart; Friendship ties it tore apart. [17] LOVE'S FIEESIDB LYRICS He came again and was forgiven, ! her heart was sadly riven. In spite of all, that cruel impress still it bore. And he could change it never more. [i8] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Annie Marie MANY years ago, in a village by the sea, Lived a maiden fair, with golden hair, By the name of Annie Marie. Oh ! her love was true, as the skies were blue, The sweetest love the village knew. Was that childish love of Annie and me. Oh ! how they envied her and me, — Really were jealous of her and me, There in that village by the sea. Oft I think now, in the village by the sea, The Angels smiled, and watched o'er her and me, I often dream they envied her and me. As we went to school, then hand in hand, Little we cared to understand, Life was love, with her and me. ! the happiest of all was Annie and me For they all went envying her and me, — Really were jealous of her and me, There in that village by the sea. LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Then sadness came, as in life, to her and me; Shattered the childish dreams of my Annie and me; Filled those tender eyes of blue With sorrow's tears, we never knew. 0! the sadness of Farewell! pained our hearts, I ne'er could tell. For life was love with her and me. ! the happiest of all was Annie and me. She lived and loved none else but me. And I lived and loved: — still love my Annie Marie. Tho far removed, I still go back to that village by the sea, To that maiden fair, with golden hair, By the name of Annie Marie. Under that sky so blue, to feel her love, still fond and true. The sweetest love that village knew, For no love was since as mine, Nor as hers divine, in that village by the sea. Or has since lived there, a maid more fair, Than My beautiful Annie Marie. [20] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS My Soul, Oh, My Soul! My Soul, Oh, my soul! How woulds't thou the morrow meet? The crafts of the evil, The lusts of the devil, The vortex of fashion on life's busy street? My soul, oh, my soul ! Thou so tender, so frail, as faint as my breath, Cans't thou withstand? Cans't thou understand? This world of sin, that sorrow we call Death? My soul, oh my soul! Watch and pray, that ye enter not in paths hopeless trod. Lest ye forget, lest ye forget, Thine is Death, eternal Death, Oh, my soul, sin not against my God. [21] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Around Life*s Corner OH, THE present is too gay to be ever thus ! Thoughtless meetings, careless greetings, Sinful laughing, scornful scoffings. Ever on life's busy street. Desperate strivings, such contrivings. None seem to reach that goal complete. Oh, what confusion, such illusions, Of worldly wealth to gain, Oh, what madness, bitter sadness. That world would curse his name in vain. Beware ! around life 's corner who waits for us ? Some day, somewhere the path must end. Reach out Thy hand. Oh God, to me, thy hope- less friend. See the curse, Oh, sinful world, the crimes of human lust ! That day a Mother long remembers. Whether sunny June, or bleak Decembers Seeking there so haggard grown. Her, thy cruel worlds must own, Ever on life's busy street. [22] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, she just passed around life's corner, Though, gone for years and years, While angels smile, sin seeks in vain, To scorn her life complete. Oh, not a line has come, or trace is found To cease, to cheer a Mother's flow of tears. Beware ! around life 's corner who waits for us ? Some day, somewhere thy path must end, Reach out thy hand, to a God of Love, my dear- est friend. [23] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS L Simple Confession IFE is real, death is nigh, I pray for saving grace. Too long I dwelt in sin to die And meet Him face to face. Life is short, the heaven far, I seek that saving grace, My pleading lips proclaim the gates ajar That I may see Him face to face. A vacant chair, the stars still shine. The angels beckon me! Oh, have I lived life 's little day To cross in peace that treacherous sea? [^4] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Once Upon a Time ONCE upon a time, the wild flowers grew, So tenderly Under the open sky, so content, I barefoot went, Never dreamed what sorrow meant, For life was love so tenderly. Oh, the sweetest music was the rustle of the meadow grass Lord, was I of all that passed, Then my heart, as now, no sadness knew. Ah, too soon those golden days were past. So merrily. Sorrow came, one day to her and I, Out there beneath that open sky, Oh, somehow, it seems I '11 never know just why, For life was love so tenderly. There where the birds sang the latest, She whispered "yes" my love the sweetest, Promised me. Oh, my aching heart, till in death we part at last. [2S] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, those golden days I can't forget somehow, 'Tis a dream so painfully. When the wild flowers of spring awaken, My heart is but the heart of one forsaken, For life was love, so tenderly. There where the wild flowers grew. There where the birds sang their latest She whispers "yes" my love the sweetest. Oh, my aching heart, that I could see her now. 26] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Queenly Dead SHE sleeps, my love doth sleep, Stars of heaven their watch shall keep, Winter snows shall softly fall While in death she sleeps, my world, my all. She sleeps, my love doth sleep. Let voices praise, their hearts her memory keep, Pass ye, in silence her lowly bier, Then sing with praise her Lord may hear. Under the chilly starry sky. Dig her grave and let her lie. Then mourn with me, my love so fair. With death upon her eyes, still life upon her hair. Oh, let bells, I pray, her death proclaim. My love so fair, the angels named. Then mourn with me, till death, my love fair. With death upon her eyes, still life upon her hair. [27], LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Longing (The First Poem) OH, YE who feel that grief and pain, My tears can measure, Her death, thy love, the angels named. Know the loss of treasure. Oh, ye who mourn in vain as I, With sad emotion Her sainted form in yonder sky. Who loved with fond devotion. Oh, ye that my longing know, My tears can measure, Ye that feel the stings of death below. Know the loss of treasure. Oh, my heart is anguish torn, Share with me your pleasure, Ye who felt as I, the joys of brigter mom, My tears and grief can measure. [28] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Longing (The Second Poem) A WEEK ago In her merry eyes The fairies played. Danced and smiled, Oh, that sweet child Made my life a dream. A week ago. Those fairies played, With us beneath the shade. Danced and laughed at love we made, For we were the merriest two below. Oh, they laughed and danced, they never dreamed Love as ours could perish so. A week ago, In her bright blue eyes, Love dwelt so merrily. Oh, the fairies laughed and played LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Beneath that oak tree shade, At love so bashful made. Oh, they laughed and danced, they never dreamed Of sorrow, meant for her and me. Thus our love smiled and died so merrily. Oh, my heart, if she should come back to me. [30] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Longing (The Third Poem) OH, what's this careless world to me, With that chance of forgetting. My sighs and regretting, Sad dreams and my fretting, That so painfully clings now to me. Ah, my heart it is breaking, In this hour so forsaken, I see, still to awake just mistaken. For my Mary is gone, forever from me. Oh, what's the twinkle of the stars to me? With that chance of mine dreaming. Of love as hers, as pure and esteeming, As fond as hers, still to me only seeming. Oh, how painfully the thought of her speaks to me. Oh, I care not for their shining. In this sad hour of divining, In this world sadly pining. For my Mary is gone forever from me. [31] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oil, what's those silvery chimes to me? When I hear sadly toUing, Muffled tones ceaseless rolling, Thoughts of her tomb, her form slowly mouldering, Oh, God, I cry, by her side, let me slumber, forever let me be. Oh, thou so alone, and forsaken, Know the pain of awakening. Feel as I, thy heart nearly breaking, For thy Mary, as mine, is gone forever from thee. [32] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Bird's Nest POOR little thing! But Oh, thy sorrow is not greater than mine, For I remember much longer. Oh, tiny wee songster, for thou hast forgotten it now, Thy chirping so lonely, that haunts me still only, As I think of thee and thy nest I buried so deep with the plow. 'Twas with eyes that saw not. Oh, God I regret, But lovely bird, believest thou me ? Oh, this guilt, from my guilty soul, relievest thou me! For my heart it is breaking, as I think of thee now, I still see thee so lonely, seeking thy lost and this only; Oh, lovely bird, that my thoughts were as thine, For thou hast forgotten it now ! [33] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Wither Thou Goest WHITHER thou goest, matters not, Still my soul dreams of thee . Sailing o'er life's stormy sea, Golden days are haunting me. Oh, my heart, so sad in me. Peace be still! it matters not. Whither thou goest, matters not, Oh, my friend, think not such of me, A hopeless wreck, on life's stormy sea, The sinful past haunting me. Oh, let thy heart so glad in thee, breathe a prayer, it matters not. Whither thou goest, matters not. Still my love for thee shall friendly be, Sailing o'er life's stormy sea, I '11 pray that God watch o 'er thee. Oh, my heart so sad in me, breathes a prayer to bring you back to me. [34] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To Hazel T RE CALL thy winning ways In love's old songs those golden days; Sweet before me, seems to rise Yonr smiling face, your bright blue eyes, I loved so then — to see no more. Down life's endless path of gloom, I bear the loss, as final as the tomb, Still fair as then, there seems to rise That golden past, my paradise I loved and lost, — to see no more. [35] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To Annie THY beauty is to me, Annie, Like the Angels to the heavens divine. In their beauty I compare thee. In their sweetness I adore thee, ! to me, thou are likewise divine. Thy presence is to me, Annie, Like sunlight on walls long deserted, Queenly thou art to me, so divine, As cheering is thy presence to that sad heart of mine. Ah ! Thy love is to me so heavenly pure, I could carol so madly ; Daily and constant, I am dreaming of thee, Sorrows that haunt me that leave me so sadly. Turns into gladness while dreaming of thee. [36] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Loves Deserted Castle AH! broken are the golden cords, those friendly ties, Her love for thee has flown, Thy dreams of golden bells, resemble now, a funeral toll Repeating ever, in mournful, muffled tones. Cease thy taunt, thou God of Love, alone 111 walk life's thorny paths In spite of sorrows mine alone. Dearer than She, no women could be, still her love was not love^ Seeking ever to claim its own. Then must I, count life's numbered days, as grief and pain? Is it fair to pine for a woman 's love that proved in vain? Ah, let me forget, let me forget ! Ah! deserted is thy castle of love, thy golden dreams shattered lie, A woman's love for thee has flown. U7] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYKICS Cease that taunt, 0, God of Love ! Have I not burden enough, to bear? Why haunt my soul, with dreams of my Lady Fair? 0! take from my shattered soul, thy stings of Never More ! ! take her image within my heart, depart ! Be gone forever more ! There at the turn in life's endless path, seeking its mate. Wretched, she left me, scornfully there, closed the gate Then must I, take less than her own undoing ? Must I grieve ever that loss? My disastrous wooing ? Still, would I scorn her now, tho her love for me has flown? Ah ! Never ! ! as fair she would bloom in my garden of love Again would I love with a love no mortal has known. ! could she see her tiny deserted castle now, Would she regret ? Would she regret ? [38] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To the Flowers of May ! DEAR purple flowers that wake with the spring, To bloom in their beauty when birds learn to sing, ! tell me who loves thy Welcome to sing 1 Dear common flowers of May. 0! forsaken thou art! No voices are blended, Glad hands they're none, no Welcome extended, ! no praises are given, no Welcome intended, To thee dear flowers of May. Thousands I know, long to destroy thee. Pew are the souls that long to enjoy thee; Countless there are so eager to annoy thee, Too common thou art, dear flowers of May. Dear purple flowers, too common thou art, To comfort the dying, the loved one's death sadly parts. Too common to comfort such greif, death's call imparts ! so sadly I carol dear flowers of May. [39] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 0! list to my song, thy welcome unknown, I praise from heart, tho others have flown. Thy welcome in Spring Time ! I carol alone, 0! from my heart I sing of thy beauty, dear flowers of May. [40] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To a Dying Bluebird OH ! YOU wounded little feathered thing, "Who had heart to break thy tiny wing? Whose life and love was so in vain To feel revenge that thou art slain? Oh! dying little feathered thing, Would thou a lover's message bring? Was thy song, her love, her lovely name ? Then stilled by death, quite all in vain? Oh, lovely bird, blue feathered thing, That I could hear thy song that thou would sing ! Oh, that I could hear, ere death claims thy tiny frame, Her lovely voice, her sainted name ! [41] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To a Little Mother FAREWELL, little mother, where e'er you go. Dear to our hearts you grow and grow. Long are the years that lie between, As fair your friendly face is seen, As dear to our hearts you'll always seem. Heaven bless, little woman, thy path below, With love and flowers row on row. Oh, long are the years that we are apart! To think of thee, stirs aching hearts. Thy leaving still, causes tears to start. Farewell, little Mother, where e'er you go! Dear to our hearts you'll grow and grow. [42] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Blinda I MANAGED, somehow, to meet her, Ah, no girls have I met that are neater, Really I think she's a wee bit sweeter, That maid by the name o' Blinda. Of course, beside me, was some other feller, A fearin' I spose, I'd tell her Love, I spose, well maybe she thinks he's sweller, That maid by the name o' Blinda. Oh, somehow it seems, I can't forget her, Depart from my heart, I won't let her. Ah, in my dreams she's sweet as the day I met her, That maid by the name o' Blinda. [43] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Wreck f WRECKED is my ship of gold! Proudest of the sea, Built for her and me, Life a dream it seems to be, For no happier two sailed that wondrous sea. A wreck is my ship of gold! The cause, my love and devotion. No other I know for this commotion, Than words of love, or foolish devotion, Oh, my heart, when I think of golden days that used to be. Such was the wreck of my ship of gold. That sailed so merrily. Built for her and me. Life a dream it seemed to me, Oh, my aching heart, when I think of happy days we put out to sea. [44] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A Word, a Smile! IT WAS only a smile, So thoughtless in giving; But it scattered the night Like morning light, And made the day worth living. Within that soul, it softly fell; A heavenly thought, forever dwells. It wove a net of colors of light and love, And the Angels smile as they watch above And yet so thoughtless in the giving. It was only a word. Oh, just a word So tenderly spoken. Yet not in vain, For it banished pain Of a heart so sadly broken. Within that troubled soul, a blessing fell. Celestial beauty seems to dwell. It wove within that heart, a friend's true love. And the Angels smile as they watch above. Oh, it was only a word! Oh, just a word so tenderly spoken! [45] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS That Old Sweetheart of Mine! 1HAVE just to close my eyelids, Comes her angel spirit divine, Joys that bound me, again surround me. Soothes that aching heart of mine. I rise to meet her, yet so slowly. Her so strange like future years; Oh, to greet in dreams, her living presence, Fills my eyes with parting tears ! Revived again are dreams of childhood. Blossoms in my soul, a thrill divine; Oh, who can tell the pleasure of her presence. The joy within that heart of mine ! Again the moonlight and the starlight Beams on through leaves, wee breezes stir All the wonders of my manhood Moves again in dreams of her ! Oh, of all my earthly friends beloved, She was best, — to me divine. A wee bit nearer, a wee bit dearer To that restless heart of mine. [46] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, my soul enjoys the realms of Heaven, Dreaming dreams of her divine; Greets again the living presence Of that old Sweetheart of Mine! [47] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To- OH, SO childish thou art ! Still the love of my heart Speaks for thee, seeks for thee ; ^ Still the misery is mine to keep, the secret from worlds hid deep. Love so fair, the fondest yet, hid there till my death. Oh, so childish thou art 1 Still the love of my heart Whispers to me so dear, ''Stay thou near." Misery world, hast thou no shame? Jealous of me to breathe her name ? Envy dreams of her, so empty, lost in vain ? Oh, lovely maid ! Thou who so childish art ! Still the love of my heart. So stained in me, seeks in vain for thee 'er land and sea, to bring you back to me ; Whispers softly, can't you hear? "Precious maiden stay thou near V [48] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS In Search of Quiet AH, POOR soul, what seekest thou? Quiet? Oh, then follow me, then follow me. And you shall see that we will be Both so free, you can't deny it; Nothing there but wintry weather, Neither man, beast, bird or feather. Here you shall see, you and me can live in peace together. If thou would thy companions shun. Try it! Oh, come with me, do come with me. And you shall see, no enemy, Just that taunt of quiet. Nothing there for love has flown. Neither man, beast, or bird is known, Here you shall see, you and me can live and call our home. [49] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Sinner's Prayer GREAT God, have mercy on me, a sinner in Thy sight, Thou knowest Satan will conquer alone, I '11 lose in the fight. For years I have wandered the deserts of life, Daily fighting sin and its strife, Till at last, hope has vanished, soon the foe will control. Oh, Jehovah ! I pray, come to me in this hour to save My tortured soul from Death, and the gloom of the grave! Guide me on from this day till the heavens In glory has shone; Till the Angels in chorus shall welcome me home. Where pardon is free for my sinful soul. Oh, the storms of life grow strong, the winds never weary. The night is dark, so long and dreary. Sadly I wander the deserts of life. Over burdened with sorrow, sin and its strife, [50] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Seeking that happiness Satan has stole. Great God ! Let thy light ever shine All the days of this sinful life of mine, While seeking that place of redeeming grace For my sinful, sinful soul. Oh, lead me on, till life is gone, Till I have reached that celestial goal! [51] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Her Letter AH, MY heart laughs so merrily, God bless her, I muttered. Sorrow, that moment took fairy wings; Joy leaps from my soul like tiny springs, Forgotten now seems other painful things. Oh, so madly my heart fluttered ! Alas, Oh, my aching heart ! that page is read ! Oh, lovely maid, what wrong have I done? I muttered. Returns to my heart, so unprepared those cruel stings Grief to my helpless soul, returns on fairy wings. Returns to stay ? Oh, God ! forbid it not, such misery clings, That pain, that grief, no words have uttered. 'Tis not the beginning or the end I dread, She wrote, I know, but words of pain, even so, I muttered — I can forget and forgive such sort o' things, [52] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYUICS Begin anew, like birds that learn to sing, Teach her heart to dream of me, a sweeter song she '11 love to sing, That brings back to heart, joy no words have uttered. [53] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To- WHO ever thought I'd write to rhyme, Days so dear, to me a golden time The day I met you. Who ever thought I'd write or try, Neither thy nor I. To understand the reason why We too soon must say good-bye. Neither they nor I. Folks all say and know I love you — Hear me talking constant of you. And the day I met you. Strange they say, and so do I, But none seem to understand just why, We too soon must say good-bye, Neither they nor I. [54] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To the Water-fall OH, A listener thou art long, To that blushing lover's song. Thou a judge of countless wooing. From thy leafy haunts have heard their cooing. Saw there, thoughtless lovers carve that bridge above thee Names of those, their own, because they love thee, Proud thou art, dancing waters. Leaping on with naught a care nor thought of me. Ah, dost recall an autumn day ? a bashful stroll- ing, Departed days, when lovers watched thee cease- less rolling? Even so, reveal no stumbling words, I may have spoken To those that walk thy bridge, or since there whose hearts were broken. Oh, dancing water, Thou garden of love, as to us a heaven seeming, [55] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Pure thou art, still in thy fall, as in mine, what thought hast thou of thy redeeming? Oh, that my soul, was leaping onward and up- ward in pureness like thee. Pray tell my soul with longing laden, If since, there walked thy bridge, a fairer maiden ? Oh, tell my soul, thou knowest well if a maiden's thoughts of me are never, Thinkest thou, my thoughts revealed cause friendly ties to sever? 0, dancing water, thou judge of love's undying bliss, Pray tell my soul if scorned I be, were I to mur- mur this? 0, that she were my laughing, blushing bride to be. 0, the days to me are sad and lonely, memories old, now haunt me only. Oft in dreams I see again that golden gloaming. As of yore we gaze, down at thy water's foaming Leaping onward, from thy moonlit leafy bowers, From thy fragrant haunts of blooming flowers Again to see thee, in thy wilder, wildest dances, [56] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Leaping ever, sleeping never, with no thought of idle glancers. Leaping on, with naught a care, nor thought of her or me. 0, from thy heaven, thy dear native bowers. From thy haunts of rare blooming flowers Do I still hear in memory, thy voice sweeter singing. Thy rushing and gushing, thy waters sweeter ringing Under moonlit leafy branches. See thy prancing, leaping dances, proud I claim of love's golden fancies That so mournfully carols its anthem of longing, now only to me. [57] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Memories OFT under the light of moon and stars, "When slumber's chains have bound me, Whispers sweet a voice through life's prison bars The joys of life and love that once had found me. Oh, the joy to wander there again the flowery fields of long ago, That lovely past when my heart such pain did know, Ah, mine alone, down here below. Queenly she stands* in the cottage door. Waving still her Angel hand as in days of yore. Sweetly I hear her calling me Far out across life's troubled sea. Answers I, in the stillness of a dream. Her lovely voice divine. Oh, Mother mine. Oh, Mother Mother mine. [58] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Oh, in spite of this life the gay moods of living, That thot of fame, that pride, and hate for giving, Returns again my humble cot, that simple dwelling On the present, on the past, on the future, on the last ever telling. Wondrous I hear the cattle lowing in the lane, My Father old and gray wandering wistful through the golden grain. Distinctly I hear their merry laugh, the patter of restless feet, Kind friends I love who in dreams alone I only meet. That since have flown to worlds unknown from earth sadly riven. To dwell in peace, beside God in heaven. [59] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A Day In December THE day is sad and dreay, Mournfully falls from a saddened sky, A rain, like tears when Death was nigh, Painfully then, as we it seems to cry. "Within my heart, 'tis sad and weary. Life, as the day is bleak and dreary. In vain there seems that parting knell, That muffled echo, of some funeral bell. Oh, God I fain would close these mournful pages. Muse on sunnier scenes, than those that rages. Still, I would calmly say ' ' Thy wiU be done on earth to me," My prayers, my hopes are all with thee. [60] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To My Friend C. A. B. HEAVEN I believe has blessed me, So tenderly now caressed me, From its wondrons fountain sent That precious gift has lent 'Till Death, the very end; Love I fain would know, seeks me where I go, Within thy heart my friend. Oft in my childish prayers below. When my heart such pain did undergo. Spoke I only of such a friend to know. Lo ! from its wondrous fountain the heaven sent, God in his mercy did consent, 'Till Death, the very end; Love I long to know, seeks me where I go, Within thy heart my friend. [6i] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Come Gentle Spirit OH, BUILD gentle spirit within my soul, Mansions more stately while the years roll There let me dwell so free from all evil power. That seeks to lure me astray each day and hour. Come gentle spirit, Oh, comfort my soul While the dangers of life like sea billows roll Oh, come ere Satan has taught me to believe, The ways of the wicked, the ways to deceive. Build gentle spirit, a home of the blest, Moulding my soul for the heavens to rest, Oh, build gentle spirit, within my soul Mansions more stately while the years roll. [62] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Yesterday YESTERDAY in mj heart, a fairy summer dwelt, Merry as the birds and flowers was the joy I felt. Ah, like their fairy notes, my cares did float Oft o'er the scenes I'd gloat, while in peace I float In my tiny boat, o'er life's troubled sea. June-like weather was, in my heart from cares apart, The storms of life. Ah, ne'er could harm my boat and me. Starry skies were in my heart, a sun-set glow at eventide, A wondrous bliss, mine alone no sadness could divide. Ah, no world was half so fair, not a sigh nor care, Not a moment of despair, love and flowers blos- somed everywhere. [63] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Smoothly o'er life's wondrous tide, my boat doth. glide, Winds that blow, oft bring back fair dreams to me Those golden days when we put out to sea. Alas, and thus ! Oh, cruel world, I fain would know. Why dreams are vain. Ah! lie buried deep in December snow. Lo, as sudden as when a storm in winter starts, The grief Death imparts, or when fondest must part, Fell those piercing words upon my bleeding heart. Oh, my aching heart, 'tis grief to dream that dream When life seemed an endless smile, Those golden days, that lovely past lost this lonely while. [64] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Pathless Woods THERE is pleasure in the pathless woods, Music so inspiring to my soul. Oh, with the eagerness of a child I east aside life's coat of care, Devour the beauty of God the wondrous fair. Beneath some shady oak I love to lie, Fathom there a blue and cloudless sky To dream of days gone by. Oh, within such golden realms fancy takes me. On that far distant shore gently wakes me, There to see familiar faces. There to greet old friends of mine. Oh, the heaven is mine! the joy of soul, That I, at last could meet you. Oh, the joy Dear heart ! 'Tis God divine, That brings me here within these golden walls That I, again could greet you, Oh, thou departed one divine. [65] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A year ago! And it scarcely seems, That all through the wintry snow We bore thy lifeless form, to darkly tombs below, Oh, the grief by death was then but ours to know What pain we bear with the waking of our dreams. ' ' Oh, God ' ' we cried, ' ' Why was it so ? That thou dids't call we scarcely knew, That he should go, who like a flower among us grew. ' ' Hark! Tis the voice of loved ones calling me, A roar of laughter like some tide far out at sea. Oh, my aching heart, to wake and find a heaven fair has flown. Oh, the pain within my heart, to gaze into that wondrous blue. To fathom there, to understand a mighty God, to know as we are known. Oh, the pain I feel as dreams take tiny wings forever and aye. But Oh, my soul was nearer heaven than yester- day. [66] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS The Fairy Ship LO, FROM this sinful earth a sainted soul has flown, Soon where God and Angels dwell, Beyond all sorrow, that sadness of farewell. Oh, we that loved Alas ! our breaking hearts. Oh, God 'tis grief we bear this sudden hour As we gaze today, on him asleep in Christ a welcome flower. How beautiful there, in death he lies how fair, 'Tis heaven to me God to gaze these moments o'er In spite of grief that pain of heart forever more ; Something immortal seems to rise his voice that beckons me. Speaks to me of worlds unknown, the joys of his eternity. He rests in peace, he rests the blessed dead, Soon beyond our doubts and fears, Beyond this sorrow and vale of tears. [67] LOVE'S FIEESIDE LYRICS Sail on ! Oh, tiny ship, fear not the dangers of the blast Speed on! Oh, fairy ship o'er life's troubled sea; 'Tis thee we wait ! Our hope, God is Thee, our trust is all with Thee. |68] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS For All Eternity OVER life's pastures, I wandered in childish dreams, Never thinking of my soul to save, Happy was I, never a moment of worry I gave. Never thot for a moment of entering my grave. Only hope for the time when school was out, With my comrades, with a merry shout, Down in that pasture, God's plan a pool, To refresh our minds of weary lessons of school. Oh ! that now ! God grant, I could feel as then, so free from sin. That since, has scared my helpless soul. For all Eternity! For all Eternity! Thus from our childish years, we feeble grow, Gone, from our lives is that happy childish glow. Now ! Comes that thot of soul, amid life's wintry cold and snow. For all Eternity ! For all Eternity ! Oh, how weary we are, at the journey's end. Reach out Thy hand, Oh ! God to me Thy help- less friend, [69] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Grant Oh ! God, tho even me, Thy promised rest Thy wondrous heaven, that home of thine own blest For all Eternity ! For all Eternity ! Oh! what have I accomplished, while here on earth ? What good have I done ? Oh ! what am I worth ? I have done nothing wrong, men caU crime, For happy yet, thotless I lived all the time. In spite this be true! I prayed that God my wrongs forgive To remember not, the past, the careless years I lived. Hark ! ! List to the songs of heaven, the Angels beckon me, "Weep not, dear kin, pass in silence my lowly bier Oh ! sing with praise that my Lord may hear. For my soul is saved ! Thank God 'tis saved ! For all Eternity ! Yea, for all Eternity ! [70] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS A Dream TANGLED in thoughts of love and childhood, Grolden days, that wondrous wildwood Oh, so weary am I, Dazed by that constant thought of you, Weary I wonder in life's rain and dew. Do I blush? Ah, to remember in love we could agree ? When you Dear child, gave such thoughts for me. Oh, how my poor heart does cry, As I still lean on that old gate and sigh. Wondering if ever, pray ask me never the reason why. Oh, my heart is pierced through and through. Crazed by that constant thot of you. [71] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To My Friend Mrs. A. C. A. ONE little kindness, Two little kindness Sooths my aching heart. Ah! so little to make us glad, And so little to make us sad. Oh ! may God in heaven, teach thy soul to know, His love and kindness here below. Then my soul, with thee shall find that golden end, By the wonders of your song My friend. One little kindness, Two little kindness, Brings heaven to my soul. Oh! so little to banish sorrow. Off today and off to-morrow. Words of wisdom, words of power, oft some wonder gain, Still, 'Tis words of love and tender kindness, That has power to banish pain. Oh! from thy wondrous sonnet, let my soul freely lend. Rejoice in that song of heaven, within thy heart tny Friend. [72] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS My Haunted Castle AH, HERE I build my lordly castle That castle of my dreams, Here are the birds and flowers, the sunny hours, All the beauty of God it seems. "Here," I cried, ''I'll take my ease. Beyond am I the sight of tears, what care I for these? That world that sinned, and sorrowed since below, How peaceful the days shall come and go." But — Lo, into my wicked heart a vision came. The hungry Poor all my strength in vain. A stranger stands, before my lordly gate,, Begging alms, how small or great. "And Oh," he cried, "For a heart to cheer, Still thou, who hath boundless store turns me empty here, Gives naught, a care, a sigh nor tear." [73] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS "Cease" I cried. TVas but my voice that echoed o'er My haunted chamber, that here I opened wide the door. ''Gone" still lingers there the tender memories of a dream, Within my sunlit castle now, God and Angels seem; Dwells within that cheering thought "The suffering of the Poor," And love and kindness entwines at will about the castle door. Secluded still, stands my wondrous castle, That castle of my dreams, Here are the birds and flowers, the sunny hours, All the beauty of God it seems. Still within that house of misery. Rules supreme the Christ who died on Calvary Lo, and now a welcome inn, for the hungry and the poor. Swings wide the tiny castle door. To the world that sinned, and sorrowed since below, Oh, how peaceful are the days that come and go. [74] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Just Be Cheery WHEN life seems sad and weary, . And the days are bleak and dreary Let not thyself be complaining, For as showers lasts this dismal raining Human sorrow lasts so long Why grieve when things go wrong? Just be Cheery. Don't let trouble set your soul to pining, Beneath those clouds God's love is shining That lights your soul to that celestial goal. Then don't be w^eary when the days are bleak and dreary. These days are never long. Death comes to both weak and strong, Just be Cheery. [75] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS To My Friend G. V. C. JUNETIME and the birds and flowers oft remind me Of the golden days of long ago, Dreaming dreams of you Dear heart they find me Mourning love so lost, that now I fain would know. Ah, something in your lovely eyes there was. That seemed to speak, that worried so my restless heart That painted as the artist would that picture, When we part Still in spite why should I rave ? All I knew because ; Yet strange it seems, so oft in dreams. Oh some- thing real there was Something seems to keep us near, and oft I shed a tear. Because ^ — Well, just Because. [76] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Man ONCE my eyes beheld him, I heard his voice, He that came forth like a fragrant flower, Ah, he that lived, and loved in spite of fears of This fleeting hour; With naught a care, nor thought of his silent bower, Even as you and I. Death like a shadow o'er him came. So, man lieth down in spite the ghost is given, Oh, that thou wouldst hide him there in darkly tombs So sadly riven. *^0h, Man" I cried, "Where is he without that hope of Heaven?" Even as you and I. Seeing his steps were numbered, dost thou not Regard his sin? That hopeless man born of women who tarried not, [77] LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS Whose dajs were few? Oh, turn from him, God, that he might rest in peace, He who like some flower grew. That he might earn eternal bliss, that wondrous joy, That once he knew ; Even as you and I. [78]