My old sweetheart is away to-day;

I feel as I did of old,

In my courting days, when far away

I yearned for her more than gold.

I thought of her handsome, smiling face,

Her noble and cultured brow,

Of her gentle ways, and charming grace;

I missed her less then than now.

Through the long years of our wedded life,

Now nearly a full two score,