'IS Christmas Eve! Each cottage hearthNow glows with cheerful light,And laughter loud, and sounds of mirth,Merrily ring to-night;Alike from hut and hall the voiceOf care and woe departs,And round the cheering blaze rejoiceRight happy hearts.
For though a Wintry veil aroundThe dying year is cast,And frost in silent chains hath boundThe streamlet and the blast,Yet smiles as bright as Summer wore,Each sunlit brow adorn,And young hearts leap to greet once moreThe Christmas morn.
For now it is that loved ones come,Their native hearth to cheer,And wanderers seek the distant home,To memory still most dear:Yes, where their childish voice's soundRang shrill in former days,Long-severed kindred meet aroundThe home-bright blaze.
But thou art all alone, with noughtThy lonely lot to cheer,Save silent communings of thought,With objects high and dear;And when from holier themes they flyTo those who loved may be,Remember, many a prayer and sighAre breathed for thee.
And though each heart rejoices now,And every tone is gay,It casts a shade to think that thouArt lonely and away;But when another circling yearAgain sees Christmas come,(Yes, long ere that!) mayest thou be hereTo bless our home.
IS Christmas Eve! Each cottage hearth Now glows with cheerful light,And laughter loud, and sounds of mirth, Merrily ring to-night;Alike from hut and hall the voice Of care and woe departs,And round the cheering blaze rejoice Right happy hearts.
IS Christmas Eve! Each cottage hearth Now glows with cheerful light,And laughter loud, and sounds of mirth, Merrily ring to-night;Alike from hut and hall the voice Of care and woe departs,And round the cheering blaze rejoice Right happy hearts.