The Sister’s Devotion.
There is no flower, brother, howe’er so sweetly blooming,
But it will fade in night;
No sunny sky with beams so bright illuming,
But clouds may shade its light,
But oh! there is a sister’s love,
In sorrow’s night unfading,
That clouds of earthborn care or woe
Ne’er will its light be shading.
Chorus:
Oh! brother, then prize a sister’s devotion,
Ever pure, unchanging, sincere,
Whose heart for thee beats with tender emotion,
And shareth each smile and each tear.
The beaming eye, brother, lit bright with smiles enwreathing,
Tears may unbidden dim,
The soul of music’s melody, sweet breathing,
Discordant strains may hymn.
But oh! there is a sister’s voice
To cheer with kind words spoken;
Her hand may wake sweet strains again
From harp-strings that were broken.
Chorus: Oh! brother, then prize—
Fame’s starry hight, brother, howe’er its gems alluring,
Cold storms and tempests crown;
The form of genius fair may fall, enduring
The world’s dark chilling frown.
But oh! there is a sister’s heart,
Forever true, unshaken,
That ne’er grows cold, but closer clings,
When all else has forsaken.
Chorus: Oh! brother, then prize—
Our golden dreams, brother, we so fondly cherish,
May change like morning’s rays;
Youth’s fairest joys and pleasures all may perish,
With years that pass away.
But oh! there is a sister’s prayer,
That happy be our meeting,
Safe wafted o’er life’s sea in peace,
Where time no more is fleeting.
Chorus: Oh! brother, then prize—