Why am I sad, when all the worldAround me is so fair,While yet so young I scarce have knownA shade of grief or care?Why come unbidden to my heartThese thoughts so strangely sad,When Nature's sweet and sunny smileSeems bidding me be glad?
I look around upon the earth,Upon the far-spread sky,And O! such brilliant beauty,Such glory meets my eye;My heart is filled with love divine!Such sweet ecstatic love,I seem to mount on spirit wingsAnd through Elysium move.
A flower, a bird's sweet carol free,A gaily-singing rill,With sweet and tender memoriesDoth make my spirit thrill;And sweeter pleasures clusterWithin home's precincts dear,With father, mother and the bandOf loved ones gathered here.
Then why so oft will sadness come,A visitor unloved?Would that her chilling presenceForever were removed!She folds her wings above my headWhere'er I chance to be,Seeking to darken all the lightOf love and joy for me.
