My Lyrical Life :: :: University of Virginia Library

This old world is scarce worth seeing,
Till Love wave his purple wing,
And we gauge the bliss of being,
Through a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.

Would you draw far Eden nearer,
And to earth the Angels bring;
You must seek the magic mirror
Of a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.

As the earth with sea is bounded,
And the winter-world with spring,
So a Maiden's life is rounded
With a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.

I have known full many a Maiden,
Like a white rose withering,
Into fresh ripe beauty redden
Through a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.

As the crescent Moon rings golden,
Her full glory perfecting,
Womanly beauty is unfolden
In a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.

Fainting spirits oft grow fearless,
Sighing hearts will soar and sing,
Tearful eyes will laugh out tearless,
Through a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, the wedding-ring.