 | Ballads and Lyrics by Katharine Tynan |  |
51
A GIRL'S LAMENT.
(TO AN OLD BURDEN.)
I wish I were like yonder gull
That fills the whole grey twilight full
With flapping of wings and crying dull,
All in the winter gloaming, O.
That fills the whole grey twilight full
With flapping of wings and crying dull,
All in the winter gloaming, O.
For then I'd fly with wings of grey
Over the sea and far away,
Seeking my lover, brave and gay—
'Tis he that's long of coming, O.
Over the sea and far away,
Seeking my lover, brave and gay—
'Tis he that's long of coming, O.
I put my apron over my head,
I cried till both my eyes were red:
I knew it was my heart that bled.
The skies are always raining, O.
I cried till both my eyes were red:
I knew it was my heart that bled.
The skies are always raining, O.
I cannot spin, I cannot churn;
No more the griddle-cakes I turn;
Cusha is lowing in the barn—
'Tis she that is complaining, O.
No more the griddle-cakes I turn;
Cusha is lowing in the barn—
'Tis she that is complaining, O.
52
But will you not come back, come back?
My cheeks are pale, my breath is slack;
And you may get a suit of black,
And court another lover, O.
My cheeks are pale, my breath is slack;
And you may get a suit of black,
And court another lover, O.
And I shall wear a shroud of lawn
With many a posy strewn thereon.
Ah, woe! I fear you're dead and gone,
For you were never a rover, O.
With many a posy strewn thereon.
Ah, woe! I fear you're dead and gone,
For you were never a rover, O.
| Ballads and Lyrics by Katharine Tynan | |