Give me the fond caressing smile,
The gentle look, the tone
That all my childish woes beguiled;
Too early are they gone.
The gentle look, the tone
That all my childish woes beguiled;
Too early are they gone.
Roll back, relentless tide of time,
Too many treasures lie
Upon that rugged shore of thine
To pass them careless by.
Too many treasures lie
Upon that rugged shore of thine
To pass them careless by.
Still on, still on, thy steady stream
Moves to eternity,—
And only in my fancy's dream
Can I these treasures see.
Moves to eternity,—
And only in my fancy's dream
Can I these treasures see.
The shore beyond is gray and rough;
Behind, it fairer shines,—
But I have lingered long enough
Mid dreams of auld lang syne.
Behind, it fairer shines,—
But I have lingered long enough
Mid dreams of auld lang syne.
The future claims my throbbing heart;
No more of dreams for me;
Friends of my earlier years, we part;
Our meeting Heaven shall see.
No more of dreams for me;
Friends of my earlier years, we part;
Our meeting Heaven shall see.
26
