Full Lyrics
All the world is bright,
All my heart is merry,
Violets and roses red,
Sparkling in the dew.
Brow— the lily’s white;
Lip— the crimson berry;
Hark! I hear a lightsome tread,—
Ah! my love ’tis you!
Wing to me, birds, and sing to me;
None so happy as I!
Only the merriest melodies bring to me
When my beloved is nigh.°
All the air is sweet,
All my heart is quiet,
Fleecy clouds on breezes warm
Floating far above:
Eye— where soft lights meet;
Cheek— where roses riot;
Look, I see a gracious form,—
Ah! ’tis you my love!
Wing to her, birds, and sing to her;
None so happy as she!
Only the merriest melodies bring to her,—
Only this message from me!
as printed in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, volume 30 (1885)
° original poem is “by” rather than “nigh”
