Day-Dreams
FROM
DIXIE
BY
RICHARD
CECIL
RODGERS
Hampton, "Va.,
1902
Copyrighted in 1902
by Richard Cecil Rodgers
Day-Drcams from Dixit
BROKEN VOWS
Out into light a secret crept,
For vows that are false can not be kept;
A soul was made to moan;
And the heart that once in rapture slept;
Turned to stone.
Out of darkness into light,
A soul found rest,
And into the land of pure delight
forever blessed,
Dwells in peace.
Out of the shades of sorrow and despair,
From a soul in pain,
Ascends a prayer,
And the soul in glory free from pain,
Knelt and joined the sad refrain.
" Lord forgive, help me forget"
Hasten on a sweeter morn,
'Twas Thy will that e'er we met,
But now all hopes are gone.
All hopes, all friendship and all love
Are gone, yes, all are gone.
4
Day-Dreams From Dixie
THE SKYLARK AND THE SLAVE
Out in the corn field all day long,
An old man bent with care and age,
Listened to a skylark's morning song,
And the river's never ceasing rage.
Bent was his form as the Indian's bow
That guards him day by day;
Dim were his eyes, his steps were slow,
And his hair was long and gray.
High o'er head on the branch of a tree,
Sat the tiny bird so brave,
Shared not he only his notes to the free,
But to the care-worn slave.
" If I could only sing like thee,
Oh, morning lark, so free and brave!
Life to me a charm wouldbe,
But you are free and I'm a slave,"
His heart begun to flutter and swell,
His grasp grew childish weak,
One gasp, and on the damp ground fell,
Never more on earth to speak.
And there upon the dampened ground,
When his master came that day,
Only the body of his old slave found,
The spirit had fled away.
D a y • D re am s From Dixie
S
DEATH
Kneel by her side while her eyes are bright,
Ah, somebody's heart will break.
Hold her hand so soft and white,
Kiss her for somebody's sake.
Sing her the song that she once loved best,
Repeat with her the prayer.
Whisper his name as she sinks to rest
Clip him a lock of her hair.
Place on her hand that ring of gold
As she breathes a parting breath.
Stay by her side till her fair young soul
Has passed away with death.
Fold her hands across her breast,
Murmur no song nor prayer,
For her soul has reached eternal rest,
And angels of God will greet her there.
EVENING
The sunlight's softly stealing down to rest,
The swallow's homeward fleeting to his nest,
The morning glory's closed her purple petals,
And the wild-rose folds her hand across her breast.
The wild-rose fold her hands cross her breast.
The swallows now are sleeping in their nests,
The buttercups and violets, too, are sleeping,
Sleeping, sleeping by the dew drops blessed.
6
Day-Dreams From Dixie
TO GERTRUDE OF ROANOKE
Tho' sweet heaven's sun is shining,
My sorrowed soul's repining,
For I'm thinking yes I'm thinking,
Of the days gone by.
When with thee I sat mid pleasures,
And my joys were without measure,
I could sit all day a gazing,
In thy true and tender eyes.
Ah, those smiles were so entrancing,
And those feet that knew not dancing,
I can hear them every evening.
Seems you tiptoe thro'my room,
JMid the city's noise and bustle,
I can hear a tender rustle,
Like some distant dove a flying,
Like the bee around the bloom.
But whene 'er I turn to meet you,
Just to smile dear one, to greet you,
My heart is filled with sorrow,
For you are not here at all,
The sun's sweet rays are streaming;
Are you here ? or am I dreaming?
I am dreaming, dreaming, dreaming,
Or you'd answer to my call.
As I sit dear one, a dreaming
Seems thine eyes on me are beaming,
And me-thinks I stand beside thee,
In the narrow hall;
Standing by thee as I used to,
Till some distant clock or rooster,
Told the hour of bed-time nearing,
Will you e'er forget those calls ?
Day-Dreams From Dixie
7
When the summer days are over;
Will the bee forget the clover ?
Will the loved forget the lover,
Tho' he's far away ?
Like a bed of glowing embers,
The heart is warm, the soul remembers,
The vows we made that summer even¬
ing.
Will they last for aye ?
On the lake bright lights are flashing,
On the shore wild waves are splashing,
And the stars are brightly shining,
Shining as of yore.
And along the path of gravel,
When arm in arm we used to travel
Seems I hear your foot-steps falling.
Will I evermore ?
God in glory walk beside me :
Gentle Savior onward guide me,
Till my days on earth are numbered
Guide me on, I pray,
Guide me on thro' flame and smoke,
Ah, not to glory, Roanoke,
Love will find a way.
8
Day-Dreams From Dixie
TO MY OLD HOME
Dear old weather-beaten cabin,
Thy roof lets in the rain,
Thy windows where I used to sit
Are void of every pane.
But round those shattered windows
The air is sweet as wine,
And the burly buzzing bumble-bee
Flits round the flowery vine.
Dear Old forsaken cabin,
With your rude fire-place wide,
My heart is almost beaking
For a seat at thy fire-side,
My heart is aching, aching—
For the home I loved so dear,
For the old wood-fire so cheering,
And my old shuck-bottoned chair.
Dear old deserted cabin,
Not a spark thy fire-place warms :
And the rude old walls that sheltered
Are open to the storms,
But still I love thee better
Than any spot on earth,
For 'tis to thee, rude cabin,
I owe my humble birth.
10
Day-D reams From Dixie
A YOUTH AND A MAID
A youth and a maid, sat neath the shade
Of a willow tree.
The youth was ''dry" and the maid was shy,
As could be.
'Twixt you and me and the willow tree,
It was a sight to see.
And the youth, "Oh,dear, since no one's near enough
to hear,
I love you true" !
And the maid in joy, "You silly boy"
How old are you"?
Twixt you and me and the willow tree
The youth looked blue.
" I'm twenty-two, most-nigh old as you,"
Said the youth.
Twixt you and me, and the willow tree,
He told the truth.
Her father came, it was a shame,
The way he ran.
And the helpless maid was so afraid,
She tore her fan.
Twixt you and me and the willow tree
Her dad raised sand.
" Why are you here? Oh, dear, oh dear. "
He asked his girl.
" Oh, father don't, I wont, I wont: "
She pulled a curl.
Twixt you and me and the willow tree
That father loved his girl.
Day -D t earns From Dixie
II
What of the youth ? I'll tell the truth,
He ran away.
And the little girl, with the saucy curl
Left too, they say.
Twixt you and me and the willow tree,
It was their wedding day.
JOY AND GRIEF
As I lay asleep on a balmy day
Joy crept our from my soul to play ;
As Grief came by.
Poor Grief, so sad, so worn with care,
Vainly seeking every where,
To find sweet Peace.
Said Joy to Grief, " Why dost thou weep ?
Come away with me, mid pleasure sleep,
And sooth thy tearful eye."
Back to my heart fair Joy returned
With her new friend Grief,
But hardly had they entered
Ere Mischief came,
And peering thro' the golden gate, locked in
the twain.
To day Joy reigneth o'er my heart
To-morrow Joy gives way to Grief;
So thro' this wide and wondrous world.
I'm first in Pain then Peace
12
D ay-D reams From Dixie
TO A PAIR OF CUFF BUTTONS
Ah, yes, I've found you stored away
In your little cozy nest.
What rapture you brought me that Christmas day.
What rapture you brought to my breast,
The same little buttons with your little blue sets
In your upturned face of gold.
The joy you brought me I'll never forget,
The sweetness you brought to my soul.
Dear little button, with eyes of blue,
I've owned you a year to-day,
'Twas Catharine that sent you
Her young heart was true.
When she gave little blue eyes away.
Ah, Catharine's heart has now grown cold
Her little blue eyes no longer shine like thine.
Her little hard heart's lost all its gold;
But she's welcome to all of mine.
THE COLORED VOLUNTEER
Not a tear is shed o'er our silent dead,
Not a flag flies at half-mast,
The muffled drum says " the time has come"
And the bugle blows its blast.
Not a song is sung, not a flag is flung
For the colored volunteer.
Tho' he's in the fight, for God and right,
He's greeted with a jeer !
Day-Dreams From Dixie IJ
With martial tread, the charge he led,
But fell at Freedom's feet,
And the old drum rolls as the flag unfolds,
Ten thousand souls to greet!
The battle's done, the victory's won,
He fought them face to face,
With lowered head I mourn the dead
That died for Africa's race.
A LOVE SONG
Come to meet me, darling,
Night is falling,
Whippoor-will is calling to his mate.
Bumble-bee is sleeping,
Way-side willows weeping
Weeping for my little Kate.
Come to meet me, darling,
Day is breaking,
Forget-me-not, my heart still beats for you
Don't fill the world with sadness,
My heart will thrill with gladness,
If you'll tell me that your heart is true.
Oh, come to meet me, darling, come to me •'
Silver stars are shining o'er the sea,
Skies are clear and blue
And they say your heart is true,
Come to meet me, darling, come to me.
'4
D ay - D reams From Dixi
REMEMBER
When another praise thy smiling face,
To win thee for his bride;
When another's heart proclaims its love,
For you, my love, so true and tried,
Do not forget the tears we've shed,
Thro' the long dark days of old.
Remember me, Ah, Catharine !
Remember one true soul.
When another holds thy tender hands,
And claims thee for his bride,
When another vows that he'll be true
To you, my love, so true and tried,
Do not forget the joys we've shared,
In the happy days of old,
Forget me not, Oh, Catharine!
Remember one true soul.
POINTBLANK
Axed her ef she'd mar'y me,
Las' night out in de yard,
Liz she smile, den frown at me,
Thought dis question hard.
Pled with all ma might an' main,
Silly thing, she swore me crazy,
An' when I axed her o'er again,
She said " Oh! yo' too lazy!"
Day-Dreams From Dixie 15
WHEN ANNIE PLAYS DE MANDOLIN
Now Gertie put er way dat paper,
Put dat ole guitar er way,
An' doan yo' cut no sicher caper,
In dis hyeah house no m'ter day,
Lisen, cos I lubs yo' music,
An' I'll lub hit till I'se gray.
But ter night I must excuse hit,
Cos Annie's gwine ter play.
Now, Ise heard some powerful fiddlin',
Some good er nuff fur ring an' queen,
But ter me hits jes lak piddlin',
Since I've heard dat mandolin,
When Annie plays dat mandolin,
Ma very soul feels blessed.
Ma heart forgets his pains an' aches,
Ma sins dey sinks ter res'.
Cos she jes takes me back ter Dixie,
Ter de fiel's of wavin' corn.
Totes me back ter ole Kentucky,
Ter de spot whar I was born,
Now,Gertieg'way fum dat piano;
And lock de thing up, yo' cant sing:
Come Annie, play ma Ole Kentucky—
Lordy, she's done broke er string!
16 D a y - D r e am s F r o m D i x i e
TO THE E. T. H. S. FOOT BALL TEAM
Sleep warriors, slumber,
Your battles are done,
With laurels we crown thee,
For the games thou hast won,
And when the story is told of thy glory,
The lord of the gridiron
Will whisper, " Well done."
Sleep heroes, slumber,
No " rahs! rahs;" will rouse thee,
No comrade will wake you,
We know you are true.
While you are sleeping.
An angel is keeping,
A watchful eye over
The Orange and Blue.
Sleep comrades, slumber,
Till angels come for thee,
Till the lord of the gridiron,
Says, " take up thy cross"
The oval is falling, comrades are calling,
Comradesare calling,
For Johnson and Ross.
Day-Dreams From Dixie
DAT HOL' UP MAN
Hab I heard de folks er talkin'
'Bout de hoi' up man an' sich ?
W'y chile, dat man aint arter me,
He kno's dat I aint rich.
Hits yo' white folks dat hes arter,
Hit is wid out er dou't!
And dat hoi' up man will git yo* sho'!
Ef yo' don't min' out.
When de little stars all blossom out,
Er lightin, up de streets,
You'd better hoi' dat haidup straight,
'Stead uv lookin' at yo' feet.
Fer dat hoi' up man is watchin' yo'
An' he means ter do yo' harm,
He'll make yo' drop dat pocket book,
When he hits yo' on de arm.
Onct er lady went er walkin',
Min' yo', early in de night,
An' dis lady aint no coward,
'Cause her brudder John kin fight!
No, she can't fight—but she was brave—
Ter go out all er lone,
But dat hoi' up man's done caught her,
Afore de chile got home.
De people seed her runnin'
And de people heard her shout,
But dey jes pulled their curtains down,
An' turned dem gas lights out,
De hoi' up man he chased her,
An' he chased her good an' stout!
Dat hoi' up man will chase yo';
Ef yo' don't min' out.
18 Day-Dreams From Dixie
Kin dey stop dat hoi' up man ?
Jes lis'en now at yo\
Yo' kin stop dat feller mighty quick,
Ef yo' kno' jes what ter do.
Yo' mus tote a weapon wid yo',
Jes tote it in yo' han'—
An' ef yo' kno' jes how ter use hit,
Yo' can fix dat hoi' up man.
Er stick won't stop no hoi' up man,
Er stick will only bruise,
Tote er good ole rusty razor,
De kine ma barber use.
But yo' white folks run fum foot pads
Lak some college athlete,
Whars yo' bravery ? in yo' hearts,
Well dey aint none in yo' feet.
GRACE
Many dressed we little Grace,
Washed her face all nice an' clean,
Tied her sash 'round her wais',
Greased her face wid glycerine,
Dar now! she thinks herself a queen,
An' no body will she pass,
Till her purty face she's seen,
In the parlor looking-glass.
Now, she stans' er fo' de glass.
Fashioned fine as er fiddle strung,
Now her lips de little lass
Touches wid her tongue.
Now her ma come thro' de do',
And says cunnin' little Grace,
"Oh, mammy, wont yo' put some more
'Lasses on ma face?"
Day-Dreams From Dixie
'9
A THUNDER CLOUD
Brown's colored coachman bought a suit,
And fit him mighty well;
In dat stove-pipe hat and high-topped boots,
I tell yo' he looked swell!
He mounts his carriage, hold his reins
With Vanderbiltic pride,
His troubled soul now feels no pain,
His mistress mounts now by his side.
"How do I look Miss May ?" said he,
In accents stern and loud,
"How do you look? well let me see—
Just like a thunder cloud."
Ole Sam's brave face los' all its pride,
He rolled his eyes and groaned.
His mistress seated at his side,
Had pierced him to the bone.
Her blue eyes glisten lak er spark,
She tries to soothe his pain,
"Ah, I didn't mean that you were dark;
I only meant you held the reins."
UNCLE DICK
What's yo' bin doin' while papy was gone
Out in de fiel' er pickin' de cotton ?
An' yo' run ter meet him when yo' heard de horn,
Lordy, chile, yo' spiled 'til yo' rotten !
Ole papy's got to work while yo run an' play,
An' yo'll hab ter work when yo' git er big man,
Or yo' can't get yo' bread an' yo' butter ebber day,
An' yo good ole chicken, goodness lan's!
20
Day-Dreams From Dixie
Bless de Lawd ma honey, e fyou ain't trying ternod:
Yo' jes tired ter def fum all dat play.
How yo' ole papy lubs yo' an' prays ter God,
Jes ter keep yo'er chile fer ebber young and gay.
De good Lawd he is musyful an' always answer
prayer.
Yea, bless yo' soul, I hab no cause for fear,
Ole Mister Satin yo' may temp' me tryin to fill me
with despair.
But I trus' ma Lawd an' read ma titles clear.
Dis mornin' jes at day break when I went ter feed
de mules,
Ma heart hit seemed ter bearh a mighty load,
Den all at onct hit lightened, and ma haid felt good
an' cool,
Fer de good Lawd put dis pullet in ma road.
CALL ME HOME
Lawd, I'se might tired uv life
Hyeah belo'
Some uv dy wondr'us lub
On me bestow,
Lawd I'se weary, worn an' weak,
An' ma path is bar' an steep,—
Call me home.
Oh Lawd, I've lived er honest life,
Call me home,
I shout an' praise yo' holy name,
Whar e'er I roam,
All ma friends done gone befo'
Lawd, hits Ion'some hyeah belo'
Call me home.
Day-Dreams From Dixie
21
Lawd, I've waited hyeah fur yo'
Oh, so long!
Lawd, I praise yo' holy name
In prayer an' song.
An' Ise mighty tired uv life,
Tired uv earthly toil an' strife,
Call me home!
Ah, ma time's done come at las',
Ter go 'long home,
Bless ma soul, I'se free at las',
No mo' ter roam.
Yes, ma skies is growin' cleah,
Praise his name fur ebber—hyeah 1
Lawd I'se home.
REJECTED
I kno' er nother man's don won yer,
But dat's all right,
Skuze me chile, I'se bound to dun yer,
Dis here night.
I kno' ma clo'es ain't creased an' new,
But chile I lubs yo' thro' an' thro'!
"Wid all ma might!
I kno' yo' heart beats fur er nother,
Whose color's light,
Can't I eben be yo' brudder,
Treat me right,
I kno' you heart's done turned ter stone,
But chile I lubs yo' flesh an' bone !
Honor bright.
Dat's right, hist yo' haid an' go!
Yo're a sight!
In all dem fussy clo's fur show,
Yo' thinks yo' white.
Dat colored gal is sich er fake,
I kno' dat hair ain't nactully straight,
Ef dis is night.
Day-Dreams From Dixie
Heard dat I spoke ill uv yo' ?
Not so er tall,
Chile yo' eyes is azure blue,
Sweet little balls,
An' yo' don't think I'se talking?
Oh, my, dat dress jes' fits on yo'
Lak paper on de wall!
'LONG DE SHERIDAN ROAD
Me an' Liz walked han' in han'
'Long de Sheridan Road,
Lake wuz ca'm and breeze wuz gran'
'Long de Sheridan Road.
Ole cricket hiding in de grass,
Watchin' lubbers as dey pass,
Better stop yo' silly sass,
Toad frog's com in' soon.
Little Liz she holdin' ter ma arm,
'Long de Sheridan Road,
Fearin' sumpun would do her harm,
'Long de Sheridan Road,
Grass an' bushes bend an' sway,
Try in' ter hyeah what words we say,
But we don't make our lub dat way;
'Long de Sheridan Road.
Liz she swore dat Kate kissed me,
'Long de Sheridan Road
And some insect flyin' free,
'Long de Sheridan Road,
Flew 'neath er bush an' hid,
Jes er saying, "Katy did !"
"No Liz I didn't," "Yesyo' did!"
'Long de Sheridan Road.
Day-Dreams From Dixie
23
How Brother Nepkin fell from Grace.
" Brudder Thompson lead us in prayer."
The speaker was Elder Jackson—a tall, raw-
boned darkey dressed in a pair of brown jean trous¬
ers, an old duster and wearing around his neck a
large red bandanna handkerchief which hid from
view a collarless, linsey shirt.
Revival meetings had been in progress at Little
Zion for almost a week and not a single soul had
been converted.
It was not Elder Jackson's fault that souls were
not saved; and I agree with him that he could not
pray or preach a darkey into glory, while his mind
was firmly fixed on a cake walk or his boss's chick¬
en coop.
Brother Thompson prayed a very strikingprayer
after which the choir sweetly sang "Come to Jesus."
A few testimonies concluded this part of the
service, and Elder Jackson took his stand behind the
pulpit desk and preached a well-prepared sermon on
" Dry Bones in the valley."
To go into the details of the sermon might seem
sacrilegious.
The discourse seemed not only to lighten the
hearts of Elder Jackson's congregation but to take
the same effect on their bodies, and for a while
Little Zion was transformed into a gymnasium
with many promising athletes.
Perhaps sister Brown would have been picked
out as the star of the evening, although Brother
Thompson cut the pigeon wing three times and
hurdled four benches without dusting their backs
with his long tailed coat.
The shouting ceased and all was silent again,
when the click of the lifted door-latch caused every
head to turn in the direction of the sound.
24 Day-Dreams From. Dixie
The sinners shook and sniggled, and even the
mourners lifted their faces from their hands and
smiled as the newcomer entered.
This newcomer was Uncle Nepkin, a well-known
character in Atoka, notorious as a back-slider.
Uncle Nepkin always visited revival meetings
and always joined the church before the meetings
closed.
Groans of indignation were heard as he walked
up to the front, and good old sister Lilly whispered
as she nudged her neighbor with her elbow: "Ole
Nepkin aint got no mo* 'ligion den a rabbit's got tail."
Silence reigned, but was soon broken by Deacon
Thompson's song:—
"Hallelujah, tis done, I b'leave on the Son,
I'm saved by the blood
Uv de crusyfied one."
Not a single soul joined in to help Deacon
Thompson, and as the poor fellow sank into his seat,
uncle Nepkin cleared his thoat and began to talk^
but was interrupted by, " Hoi'on dar Nepkin, I hab
er few 'marks to make."
It was Elder Jackson; and he addressed his
congregation as follows:
•' Brudders an sisters, we hab hyeah 'fore as az
usual Uncle Nepkin, who wishes to come over on de
Lawd's side. By the 'spreshion uv his face an' de
manner by which he walked up hyeah, I b'leave
'fore God, dat he's been changed. (Shouts.)
You kno* church uv God, de Lawd aint got no
dun chilun, so we'll let Uncle Nepkin state in as few
words as possible jes what de Lawd's done for him"
Then turning to uncle Nepkin he said, "Brudder
make hit short an' sweet."
Uncle Nepkin who had taken a front seat, arose
and spoke as follows:
Day-Dreams From, Dixie
25
" Sisters and Brudders, I kno' dat I hab lived a
riggety life, I hab piddled wid God an' deceived ma
feller christians; but bless yo' soul I'se done back-
slidin' now. (Shouts)
De Lawd's done took ma foot out de miry clay
an' put it on de rock of eternal ages an' tol' me to
go in peace an' sin no mo" (Shouts.—"Tell it
brother Nepkin"
Yes, bless yo' soul sisters and brudders, I^could-
n't res' las, night; 1 went to bed praying ma Lawd."
(S louts)
" An' as I lay in bed an angel of de Lawd come
to me an' woke me up. t
An' as I opened ma eyes, lo! de hebbens opened,
an' from God's throne in glory descended a three
round ladder, one end on earth an' de other in bright
glory!" (Shouts, yes.)
" An' de angel mounted de ladder an' beckoned
me come! Yes, bless yo' soul I hesitated a moment,
I felt lake ole Peter when he sot his foot on de wa¬
ter, I had no faith !" ( Shouts, yes.)
"But let me tell yo' I raised ma voice in prayer
to de Almighty Maker a saying, Lawd yo' kno' dat
I aint gat no wings an' how am I giwne to follow
yo' angel?
An' de Lawd answered, 'Leap Nepkin, leap!'
Den blessed be de name of God, I scuffled from
dat bed an' made a mighty leap an' landed on de
first roun', an' again I heard de voice a saying,
' Leap Nepkin, leap!'
Glory be to God! I made another leap an' land
ed on de second roun', an' from there I could see
ma home in glory!" (Shouts)
" I looked back toward ma earthly home an cri¬
ed farewell vain world, ole Nepkin's gwine to leave
yo' now: an' de Lawd said, 4 Leap Nepkin, leap!
26
Day-Dreams Ftom Dixie
Yes bless yo' soul, I felt as light as a fedder, an' as
supple as a grass-hopper. I made de las' an' final leap
an' landed on the third roun.' (Shouts)
An' was jes' erbout to step over the threshold
of glory when dat roun' broke, an I got one of the
dog gondest falls dat I ever got in all ma life!"
The good sisters and brothers who were shout-
ingunder the inspiration of Uncle Nepkin's testimony
stopped short and stood like statues of bronze and
ebony.
Uncle Nepkin made a rush for the door but was
tripped up by some wicked sinner and held until
the deacons surrounded him.
Brother Thompson was kind enough to see him
home unharmed, but warned him not toattend church
the next evening.
Aunt Mandy, Uncle Nepkin's wife, is still won¬
dering why her spouse refuses to go to church, and
why he goes hunting whenever Elder Jackson calls.
Day-Dreams From Dixie
27
EVA
'Twas in a village church-yard that I met her,
Sweet Eva fair, beyond compare.
Those laughing eyes and cheeks, I'll ne'er forget her,
I'll ne'er forget her beauty rare.
'Twas in this village church-yard,
That she promised she'd be true;
'Twas here she promised me she'd be my bride,
'Twas here beneath the willows,
And God's arching sky of blue,
That the tender cord of life-long love was tied.
'Twas to this village church-yard that I brought her,
Sweet Eva fair, beyond compare.
'Twas here before the eyes that oft besought her,
She stood with me, and heard the parson's prayer.
'Twas in this village church-yard,
That he made us man and wife,
'Twas here I held her tender hand in mine,
'Twas here the church choir sweetly sang,
To brighten my young life,
'Twas here my youthful heart ceased to repine.
'Tis in this country church-yard that she's sleeping,
My Eva fair, beyond compare.
'Tis o'er her grave the wayside willow's weeping,
'Tis here the wild rose sweetly scents the air.
'Tis in this village church-yard,
That my dearest treasure lies,
Buried 'neath the summer sod and dew.
'Tis here the birds are singing
O'er the mound where Eva lies,
O'er the grave of my dear Eva, fond and true.
28 Day-Dreams From Dixie
TO ETHEL
Each evening ere the sun sinks low,
To his wondrous western bed,
Hushed are the winds that blustering blow
Each cloud stands still o'er head,
Like a ship at anchor on the deep.
Vainly I try to picture thee,
An angel standing at the gate,
Near whose side I long to be.
Call me now, I can not wait,
Ere the sun sinks down to rest.
Beyond the clouds flies the buzzing bee,
Each bird flies to his nest,
My youthful soul doth long for thee,
I long for peace and rest.
Near some fond friend like thee,
Ere the sun sinks down to rest.