And, hovering, trembles half afraid,

Oh, Sister! sing the song once more,

Which ne'er for mortal ear was made.

'Twere almost sacrilege to sing

Those notes amid the glare of day;

Notes borne by angels' purest wing,

And wafted by their breath away.

When, sleeping in my grass-grown bed,

Shouldst thou still linger here above,

Wilt thou not kneel beside my head,