 | Songs of two centuries |  |
66
GOOD-BYE, OLD HORSE.
The pleasant days have gone their ways, the world is getting old,
The wind is in the north again—the air is damp and cold;
They turn their heads and laugh at us—those days we used to win—
And Fortune when we ask for her, sends word she isn't in.
The earth is growing bare and bleak, and clouds are in the sky;
So I must go and find the sun: my dear old horse, good-bye!
The wind is in the north again—the air is damp and cold;
They turn their heads and laugh at us—those days we used to win—
And Fortune when we ask for her, sends word she isn't in.
The earth is growing bare and bleak, and clouds are in the sky;
So I must go and find the sun: my dear old horse, good-bye!
You had a speed and I a rein we both knew how to trust:
Oh 'twas a mighty lively rig that gave us any dust!
We made a race-track of the road whene'er we had a mind,
And you had not the faculty of following on behind.
But luck went off another way, and never told us why:—
And so I've got to walk a bit:—my dear old horse, good-bye!
Oh 'twas a mighty lively rig that gave us any dust!
We made a race-track of the road whene'er we had a mind,
And you had not the faculty of following on behind.
But luck went off another way, and never told us why:—
And so I've got to walk a bit:—my dear old horse, good-bye!
One night we met a robber band with whom we couldn't agree—
And one caressed you by the bit, and one took charge of me.
I knocked mine over with the whip, and yours you trampled down,
And showed the rest a set of heels unrivalled in the town.
I said, “Old man, we'll never part till one of us shall die”:
But Ruin sneers at hearts and hands—good-bye, old friend, good-bye!
And one caressed you by the bit, and one took charge of me.
I knocked mine over with the whip, and yours you trampled down,
And showed the rest a set of heels unrivalled in the town.
I said, “Old man, we'll never part till one of us shall die”:
But Ruin sneers at hearts and hands—good-bye, old friend, good-bye!
One merry eve when ruby wine had turned my brain to lead,
Beside the road when half-way home I stopped and went to bed.
But I was watched by chivalry all through my night's disgrace:
For when I woke, your warm sweet nose was cuddling round my face.
You vowed no harm should come to me, with you a-lingering nigh:
I'd stay by you now if I could—good-bye, old horse, good-bye!
Beside the road when half-way home I stopped and went to bed.
But I was watched by chivalry all through my night's disgrace:
For when I woke, your warm sweet nose was cuddling round my face.
You vowed no harm should come to me, with you a-lingering nigh:
I'd stay by you now if I could—good-bye, old horse, good-bye!
I think and hope I'm leaving you in good and friendly hands—
I feel as if you'd think of me in distant seas and lands;
And if my fate turns round again, and Effort serves me true,
There'll come first thing across the space, a telegram for you.
I hope that yet some happy days we'll capture, you and I,
And golden stables shall be yours, in Heaven, bye and bye!
I feel as if you'd think of me in distant seas and lands;
And if my fate turns round again, and Effort serves me true,
There'll come first thing across the space, a telegram for you.
I hope that yet some happy days we'll capture, you and I,
And golden stables shall be yours, in Heaven, bye and bye!
| Songs of two centuries | |