AWAY! away! our fires stream bright Along the frozen river; And their arrowy sparkles of frosty light On the forest branches quiver. Away! away! for the stars are forth, And on the pure snows of the valley, In a giddy trance, the moonbeams dance— Come, let us our comrades rally! Away! away! o'er the sheeted ice, Away, away we go; On our steel-bound feet we move as fleet As deer o'er the Lapland snow. What though the sharp north winds are out, The skater heeds them not— 'Midst the laugh and shout of the jocund rout, Gray winter is forgot. Let others choose more gentle sports, By the side of the winter hearth; Or 'neath the lamps of the festal halls, Seek for their share of mirth; But as for me, away! away! Where the merry skaters be— Where the fresh wind blows, and the smooth ice glows, There is the place for me. |