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NCE again the day is dawning,We so oft have loved to meet;
Once again, our children's voices
Thy birthmorn, beloved, greet.
Blithely as they ring around thee,
In their tones of childish glee,
Yet how true and warm the blessings
Breathed from those young hearts on thee.
In their tones of childish glee,
Yet how true and warm the blessings
Breathed from those young hearts on thee.
And if they, in life's glad spring-time,
Feel for thee such earnest love,
Deeper far the fond emotion,
That my graver heart must prove.
Feel for thee such earnest love,
Deeper far the fond emotion,
That my graver heart must prove.
Years of tender, warm affection,
Gentleness and changeless truth,
Every day must closer bind me
To the one beloved of youth.
Gentleness and changeless truth,
Every day must closer bind me
To the one beloved of youth.
[n the hours of hope and gladness,
Thou hast made each joy more dear;
In the days of deepest sadness,
Still thy love could soothe and cheer.
Thou hast made each joy more dear;
In the days of deepest sadness,
Still thy love could soothe and cheer.
