The snow is lying deep upon the ground, And naught disturbs the quiet, bitter air Except the distant jingling sleigh bells sound, Which seems to banish from my heart all care. The trees are barren of their waving leaves, The limbs are swaying sadly to and fro; It seems as though it for its verdure grieves, As down it shakes the flakes of shining snow. Oh, thou to me forever art a friend-- I would that you were for the whole year round, And He on high those blessings by you send That always in your bounteous lap are found; And you and I would be as angels here And sorrow never know nor ever shed a tear!
Thou dancing sunbeams through the happy day Dost cheer me on my onward path through life, You show to me more clear my stumbling way And lighter make my almost ceaseless strife. Thou art to me a greater friend indeed, Than others I have loved up to this hour;-- They are oft but a wildly growing weed-- But thou art like a shining summer flow’r. The world could not exist if not for thee, The Ice-King would possession then obtain; The light and beauty from all things would flee, And naught but lasting, dark’ning chaos reighn. But now we have the cheerful, glittering light That keeps the universe alive and bright.
Let us now improve the present, Waiting not for something more; For the past is gone forever And its troubles all are o’er.
Let us hope not in the future Golden days will be at hand; Try, keep trying, for that country, In a fairer, better land.
Up, be doing in the present, Waiting not for something more; For the past is gone forever And its troubles all are o’er.
Those who wait are ne’er receiving-- Those who act are always blest; Up, be doing, still be acting, This is not a time for rest.
Let us now improve the present, Waiting not for something more; For the past is gone forever And its troubles all are o’er.
Little Ada now has gone To that land above, Where no trouble ever comes; All is brightness, all is love.
Now an angel far away In that land of light; Cheer up, oh, afflicted ones, She is gone where all is bright.
Father, cheer the grieving parents; Help them now to bear the woe; Pity us, thy simple children, In this land so far below.
Angels carried her to heaven, Clothed her in their robes of light; She is gone, but not forever, From the loving parents’ sight.