Grand Haven Daily Tribune December 31, 1900
A Song for the Old Year.
―
BY DAVID FLETCHER HUNTON.
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[Air:]
“Father, dear father come home with me now.”
Lightly, step lightly, speak gently tonight!
The old year is breathing his last;
His face has grown sharper―he’s losing his sight,
Soon all will be over and past!
Come, look at him now―how shrunken away!
His lips pale are drawing apart!
His beard, like a sentinel frosty and gray,
Is counting the beats of his heart!
Chorus:
Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye!
Forever and ever, goodbye!
Hear our last parting adieus,
Which the night-winds repeat as they sigh,
Oh, who cannot whisper this plaintive farewell?
“Forever, and ever, Goodbye.”
Sadly, how sadly, the winter winds blow,
And darkness has shrouded our zone;
Old chanticleer’s crowing, to let us all know,
That midnight is taking her throne!
‘Tis most twelve o’clock―once more we will call,
The old year, and bid him goodbye!
We’ve known him and found him a friend to us all,
Our hearts ache to know he must die!
Chorus:
Softly, tread softly, ‘tis midnight we know,
The church bells are ringing so loud:
And here in the shadows that flit to and fro.
The old year lies stiff in his shroud!
Alas! He has gone―our dear friend is dead!
Death’s signet is set on his brow!
The old year, “One thousand nine hundred,” has sped
Out into eternity now!
Chorus:
Grand Haven, Mich.
December 31st, A. D. 1900.
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Microfilm Scan: Song for the Old Year |