Poems (Edwards)/Sing Again that Simple Strain

by Matilda Caroline Smiley Edwards

SING AGAIN THAT SIMPLE STRAIN.

O sing, once more, that melting strain,
 'Tis steeped in memory's light,
It wakens up ten thousand thoughts
 From Lethe's shrine to-night;
It calls to mind the loved ones lost,—
 A dear familiar train,
It leads me back to other days;
 Then sing it once again.

I loved that sweet familiar song
 In days that now are gone,
'Twas sweet at evening's stilly time,
 'Twas sweet to me at morn;
'Twas sweet to me in sorrow's hour,
 'Twas sweet to me in pain;
Then sing once more that touching air,
 Sing that sweet song again.

O there was one, whose voice like thine,
 Soft as a zephyr stole,
Now melting every heart to tears,
 Now flashing through the soul,
Now softening down the troubled thoughts,
 Now lifting them on high,
Until we felt 'twas happy thus,
 'Twas glorious thus to die,—
To pass on music's breath away,
 To worlds beyond the sky.

Then touch those thrilling notes again,
 'Tis not an idle prayer,
You do not know how many bright,
 Sweet memories are there;
You do not know how much of joy
 Dwells in that simple strain,
You do not know how dear it is;
 O sing that song again.