 | The Music of Stephen C. Foster . |  |
LITTLE ELLA
[1]
Little Ella, fairest, dearestUnto me and unto mine,
Earthly cherub coming nearest
To my dreams of forms divine:
Her brief absence frets and pains me,
Her bright presence solace brings,
Her spontaneous love restrains me
From a thousand and selfish things.
[2]
Little Ella moveth lightlyLike a graceful fawn at play,
Like a brooklet running brightly
In the genial smile of May,
Like a breeze upon the meadows
All besprent with early flowers.
Like a bird mid sylvan shadows
In the golden summer hours.
[3]
Little Ella brings a blessingWith her bright and winning smile,
With her frank and fond caressing
And her prattle free from guile.
When I hear her footsteps bounding,
In the hall or through the grove,
And her voice with joy resounding,
'Tis the music that I love.
| The Music of Stephen C. Foster . | |