I HEARD the gay spring coming, I saw the clover blooming, Red and white along the meadows; Red and white along the streams; I heard the bluebird singing, I saw the green grass springing, All as I lay a-dreaming, -- A-dreaming idle dreams. I heard the ploughman's whistle, I saw the rough burr thistle In the sharp teeth of the harrow, -- Saw the summer's yellow gleams In the walnuts, in the fennel, In the mulleins, lined with flannel, All as I lay a-dreaming, -- A-dreaming idle dreams. I felt the warm, bright weather; Saw the harvest, -- saw them gather Corn and millet, wheat and apples, -- Saw the gray barns with their seams Pressing wide, -- the bare-armed shearers, -- The ruddy water-bearers, -- All as I lay a-dreaming, -- A-dreaming idle dreams. The bluebird and her nestling Flew away; the leaves fell rustling, The cold rain killed the roses, The sun withdrew his beams; No creature cared about me, The world could do without me, All as I lay a-dreaming, -- A-dreaming idle dreams. |