 | The Burden of the Bell and Other Lyrics |  |
134
A SONG OF WASSAIL.
So the world is growing old, my friend,
Quite grey, you say, and old!
So men's hearts are waxing faint, my friend,
Good lack, and deadly cold!
Quite grey, you say, and old!
So men's hearts are waxing faint, my friend,
Good lack, and deadly cold!
Ha, ha! I laugh you to scorn, my friend,
And I dare to say you nay;—
God wot! the world is as hale a world
As it was in its early day.
And I dare to say you nay;—
God wot! the world is as hale a world
As it was in its early day.
Some eyes may blink—some foreheads droop,
Some hearts wax faint and cold;—
Ha, ha! let them come, and quaff with me
This “jolly good ale and old!”
Some hearts wax faint and cold;—
Ha, ha! let them come, and quaff with me
This “jolly good ale and old!”
Let them quaff with me this foaming glass,
Yon brave old tankard drain,
And my word, but they'll see in a trice, my friend,
The world grow young again.
Yon brave old tankard drain,
And my word, but they'll see in a trice, my friend,
The world grow young again.
135
My word, as the warm blood fires their eye,
And their pulse beats firm and bold,
They'll marvel how they could e'er have dreamed
Men's hearts were waxing cold.
And their pulse beats firm and bold,
They'll marvel how they could e'er have dreamed
Men's hearts were waxing cold.
And, good my friend, I will trust you now
With a thought that is dear to me;
That this world of ours will never be found
Too old for blessings three.
With a thought that is dear to me;
That this world of ours will never be found
Too old for blessings three.
First, for the light of a cheerful smile,
And next, for a minstrel's song,
And last, my friend, for fair company,
With “jolly good ale and strong.”
And next, for a minstrel's song,
And last, my friend, for fair company,
With “jolly good ale and strong.”
| The Burden of the Bell and Other Lyrics | |