Songs of the Soul/Part 3/The Toiler’s Lay
THE TOILER'S LAY
From school of life,
From bossy duty's binding day,
From hours of dollar-strife
I wish I were a run-away!
From bossy duty's binding day,
From hours of dollar-strife
I wish I were a run-away!
From chasing worry hound
I'll fly one day,
From crowds and throngs around
I wish I were a run-away!
I'll fly one day,
From crowds and throngs around
I wish I were a run-away!
From greedy food
That steals its way,
From luring dainties' tempting mood
I wish I were a run-away!
That steals its way,
From luring dainties' tempting mood
I wish I were a run-away!
From homely cups and chairs and couch
The call of grassy-bed today
My heart doth snatch;-
I wish I were a run-away!
From nature's given cup,
My hollow hands, I'll drink
At the streamlet's bounteous brink;
With finger forks I'll eat the meat
Of fresh plucked fruits from trees, my seat
All snug beneath the shady trees,
Enliv'n'd by birds and bumble bees,
Fanned by mothering air,-
From warmth and tear
I'll bathe my weary mind
In new-made joyous day:
Away dish-washing, cups and saucers, all away!
For just a day
I wish I were a run-away!
The call of grassy-bed today
My heart doth snatch;-
I wish I were a run-away!
From nature's given cup,
My hollow hands, I'll drink
At the streamlet's bounteous brink;
With finger forks I'll eat the meat
Of fresh plucked fruits from trees, my seat
All snug beneath the shady trees,
Enliv'n'd by birds and bumble bees,
Fanned by mothering air,-
From warmth and tear
I'll bathe my weary mind
In new-made joyous day:
Away dish-washing, cups and saucers, all away!
For just a day
I wish I were a run-away!