WAITING

The sun has slipped his tether

And galloped down the west.

( Oh, it's weary, weary waiting, love. )

The little bird is sleeping

In the softness of its nest.

Night follows day, day follows dawn,

And so the time has come and gone:

And it's weary, weary waiting, love.

The cruel wind is rising

With a whistle and a wail.

( And it's weary, weary waiting, love. )

My eyes are seaward straining

For the coming of a sail;

But void the sea, and void the beach

Far and beyond where gaze can reach!

And it's weary, weary waiting, love.

I heard the bell-buoy ringing —

How long ago it seems!

( Oh, it's weary, weary waiting, love. )

And ever still, its knelling

Crashes in upon my dreams.

The banns were read, my frock was sewn;

Since then two seasons’ winds have blown —

And it's weary, weary waiting, love.

The stretches of the ocean

Are bare and bleak to-day.

( Oh, it's weary, weary waiting, love. )

My eyes are growing dimmer —

Is it tears, or age, or spray?

But I will stay till you come home.

Strange ships come in across the foam!

But it's weary, weary waiting, love.