I’m sitting by the hearthstone now, And my heart is lone and drear; It seems as though the autumn blast Had left its impress there. As memory, backward, wends its way, Unfolding to my gaze Those joyful hours of “ Auld Lang Syne ,” Those lights of by-gone days.
I’m musing on the past, when I In childhood’s thoughtless play, Reveled in gladness, joy and mirth, Nor deemed one saddening ray Should ever cloud my gladsome heart, Or cause deep sorrow’s moan— Ne’er dreaming of the time, alas! When I’d be quite alone.