Full Lyrics
The fair, bright flowers of summer time
Are beautiful to me,
And glorious are the many stars
That glimmer on the sea;
But gentle words and loving smiles,
And hands to clasp my own
Are better than the fairest flowers,
Or stars that ever shone.
The sun may warm the buds to life,
The dew the drooping flowers,
And eyes grow bright and watch the light
Of autumn’s opening hour;
But words that breathe of tenderness
And love we know is true
Are warmer than the summer sun,
And brighter than the dew.
It is not much the world can give
With all its show and art,
And gold and gems are not the things
To satisfy the heart;
But, oh, if those who cluster ’round
The altar and the hearth
Have gentle words and loving smiles,
How beautiful is earth?
