Good-bye, Old Year! for you and we must part; We place a hand in thine in mute farewell; Our lips would fain reveal, but cannot tell The joy and pain that tremble through each heart. We look into thine eye— We can but smile and sigh. Good-bye, Old Year! we leave thee with regret, For thou to us hast been a loving friend— Hast scattered joys and blessings without end— Hast given days whose sunbeams, even yet, On mem'ry's peaceful night Reflect a golden light. Good-bye, Old Year! we leave thee with content; We would not see again thy withered form; Oh, thou hast bared our hearts to many a storm— Hast oft from Pain his ebon shadows lent; Hast made our hopes, so sweet, As dust beneath our feet! Good-bye, Old Year! and take to thine abode, To thy dread sepulcher—the vaults of Time— The persecution, prejudice and crime That our poor brethren o'er the seas do goad; Take with thee all their pain, And turn not back again. Good-bye, Old Year! we gather flow'rs for thee, We robe thy form in white; for, in thine arms Full many a loved one, sheltered from all harms By Death's cold kiss, lies slumb'ring peacefully. Bear them to yon blue skies— Bear them to Paradise. Good-bye, Old Year! step o'er life's checkered floor With dream and hope and aspiration sweet, With care and sorrow, trial and defeat; Our glances follow to the open door And watch thee fade from view While the Young Year steps through. Good-bye, Old Year! e'en thou, the child of Time, Must yield thy place and be no more of earth— Must leave thy throne to one of later birth. For thee a thousand fragrant flow'r-bells chime. Bear, on the wings of love, Our prayers to Him above. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAITH by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON JOHN BARLEYCORN by ROBERT BURNS SHADOWS: 2 by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES SEVEN AGES OF MAN, FR. AS YOU LIKE IT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE WANING MOON by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY HARMOSAN by RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH THE PIAZZA OF ST. MARK AT MIDNIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |