Lily-Bell and Thistledown Song I

Awake! Awake! for the earliest gleam

Of golden sunlight shines

On the rippling waves, that brightly flow

Beneath the flowering vines.

Awake! Awake! for the low, sweet chant

Of the wild-birds' morning hymn

Comes floating by on the fragrant air,

Through the forest cool and dim;

Then spread each wing,

And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;

O'er the pleasant earth

We journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.

Awake! Awake! for the summer wind

Hath bidden the blossoms unclose,

Hath opened the violet's soft blue eye,

And awakened the sleeping rose.

And lightly they wave on their slender stems

Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,

Waiting for us, as we singing come

To gather our honey-dew there.

Then spread each wing,

And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;

O'er the pleasant earth

We journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.