Oh! when the friends we us’d to know,
'V a-been a-lost vor years; an’ when
Zome happy day do come, to show
Their feaezen to our eyes ageaen,
Do meaeke us look behind, John,
Do bring wold times to mind, John,
Do meaeke hearts veel, if they be steel,
All warm, an’ soft, an’ kind, John.
When we do lose, still gay an’ young,
A vaice that us’d to call woone’s neaeme,
An’ after years ageaen his tongue
Do sound upon our ears the seaeme,
Do kindle love anew, John,
Do wet woone’s eyes wi’ dew, John,
As we do sheaeke, vor friendship’s seaeke,
His vist an’ vind en true, John.
What tender thoughts do touch woone’s soul,
When we do zee a meaed or hill
Where we did work, or play, or stroll,
An’ talk wi’ vaices that be still;
’Tis touchen vor to treaece, John,
Wold times drough ev’ry pleaece, John;
But that can’t touch woone’s heart so much,
As zome wold long-lost feaece, John.
Other works by William Barnes...
