SO LONG

The dawn grows red in the eastern sky,

( Long, so long is the day,)

And I lean from my lattice and sigh and sigh,

As I watch the night fog creeping by

And vanish over the bay.

The thrush soars up, over green clad hills,

( The day is long, so long;)

Like liquid silver his music spills,

And ever it quivers, and runs, and trills

In a glad sweet burst of song.

Under my window there blooms a rose,

( How long a day can be. )

And I lean and whisper what no soul knows

Of my heart's sorrows and secret woes,

And the red rose sighs,‘ Ah me!’

A ship sails into the waiting bay,

( The day is long, alack,)

But what would that matter to me, I pray

If the ship that sailed out yesterday

Should never more come back.

The summer sun rides high and clear,

( The day is long, so long,)

How long it must be ere it grows to a year —

How deep the sorrow that finds no tear,

But only a wail of song.