A Winter Song.

[With light, running staccato and legato accompaniments.]

Oh, summer has the roses

And the laughing, light south wind,

And the merry meadows lined

With dewy, dancing posies;

But winter has the sprites

And the witching frosty nights.

Oh, summer has the splendor

Of the corn-fields wide and deep,

Where the scarlet poppies sleep

And wary shadows wander;

But winter fields are rare

With diamonds everywhere.

Oh, summer has the wild bees,

And the ringing, singing note

In the robin’s tuneful throat,

And the leaf-talk in the trees;

But winter has the chime

Of the merry Christmas time.

Oh, summer has the luster

Of the sunbeams warm and bright,

And rains that fall at night

Where reeds and lilies cluster;

But deep in winter’s snow

The fires of Christmas glow.

St. Nicholas.