Why am I sad, when all the world Around me is so fair, While yet so young I scarce have known A shade of grief or care? Why come unbidden to my heart These thoughts so strangely sad, When Nature's sweet and sunny smile Seems 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 wings And through Elysium move.
A flower, a bird's sweet carol free, A gaily-singing rill, With sweet and tender memories Doth make my spirit thrill; And sweeter pleasures cluster Within home's precincts dear, With father, mother and the band Of loved ones gathered here.
Then why so oft will sadness come, A visitor unloved? Would that her chilling presence Forever were removed! She folds her wings above my head Where'er I chance to be, Seeking to darken all the light Of love and joy for me.
