Poems (Chitwood)/Birds
For works with similar titles, see Birds.
BIRDS.
Singing in the vallies, Where the waters flowSinging in the quiet dells, Where the lilies grow;Singing on the uplands, Through the summer's day,On the emerald hill-side, Where the lambkins play. Dear birdies, dear birdies, I will learn from youHow to frame my pleasant thoughts Into singing too.
Springs the lark at morning To the azure sky;Gentle wings, the robin, Softly lifts on high;Starts the ground-bird, trilling, From her grassy nest;And the happy thrushes Warble with the rest.Dear birdies, dear birdies, I will learn from youHow to mount, on thankful wings, Up to heaven too.
Building, in the wild-brier, Tiny nests so sly,In the quiet woodland, Where the shadows lie,'Neath the grassy covert, 'Neath the fragrant leaves,By the waving river, Underneath the caves.Dear birdies, dear birdies, I must learn from you,That to make a happy home, I must labor too.
Drinking, from the lily-urn, Drops of sparkling dew;Laving in the quiet lake, Flashing up so blue;Flying through the summer's rain, With a merry wing,Surely such a pleasant bath Is a blessèd thing.Dear birdies, dear birdies, I will learn from you,That the sparkling water-fount Is a blessing too.
Pretty little warblers! Joyous-hearted throng!Through the storm's dark pauses, I have heard your song.Be the days of tempest, Still your songs ye pour;And when the storms are over, Then you sing the more.Dear birdies, dear birdies, I will learn from you,How to pass the gloomy hours, With a carol too.