Cover image for

Songs Out of Doors

Categories Poetry, Music
Language English
Published 1923
Word count 12,819
Excerpt

ate replying,
Shaking the tune from his wings
While he is flying:

_Surely, surely, surely,

              Life is dear
              Even here.
              Blue above,
              You to love,
            Purely, purely, purely._

There's wild azalea on the hill, and iris down the dell,
And just one spray of lilac still abloom beside the well;
The columbine adorns the rocks, the laurel buds grow pink,
Along the stream white arums gleam, and violets bend to drink.

This is the song of the Yellow-throat,
Fluttering gaily beside you;
Hear how each voluble note
Offers to guide you:

_Which way, sir?
I say, sir,
Let me teach you,
I beseech you!
Are you wishing
Jolly fishing?
This way, sir!
I'll teach you._

Then come, my friend, forget your foes and leave your fears behind, And wander forth to try your luck, with cheerful, quiet mind; For be your fortune great or small, you take what God will give, And all th