Ode to a Nightingale

Oh the wind, it calls me yonder

Through the fields so soft and wide

Where the wildwood’s shadows wander

And the silver rivers glide

There the lark is ever singing

In the golden morning light

And my heart with longing winging

Seeks the hush of endless night

Sing, oh nightbird, ever low

Through the leaves where moonlight glows

Take my sorrow, take my pain

Let me never wake again

Oh for draughts of sweetest nectar

Aged in earth so cool and deep

With the scent of rose and heather

That could lull my soul to sleep

Fill my cup with warmest sighing

Let the past be lost in wine

Where the dreamer, softly dying

Fades into the darkling pine

Sing, oh nightbird, ever low

Through the leaves where moonlight glows

Take my sorrow, take my pain

Let me never wake again

Wish that I could fly beside thee

Not on wagons bold and bright

But on whispers soft that guide me

Through the dark embrace of night

Where no sorrow dims the meadow

Where no weary heart can weep

Let me pass into the shadow

Let me lay me down to sleep

Sing, oh nightbird, ever low

Through the leaves where moonlight glows

Take my sorrow, take my pain

Let me never wake again

Far away the dawn is breaking

Still the earth is cold and bare

Yet the nightbird’s song is aching

Softly laced upon the air

Now I wonder, was it dreaming

Or some echo of the past

Gone is music, lost its meaning

Yet its whisper still shall last