OLIPHANT, Thomas

Deck the Halls

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,

Troul the ancient Christmas carol,

See the flowing bowl before us,

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Follow me in merry measure,

While I sing of beauty's treasure,

Fast away the old year passes,

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!

Laughing, quaffing all together,

Heedless of the wind and weather,

Nymphs are sporting

Nymphs are sporting,

Shepherds corting,

Birds do sweetly sing;

Mirth and joy and pleasure,

Frolic without measure,

In the cheerful spring;

Flocks are bleating,

Rocks repeating,

Echo back the sound;

Merry bells are ringing,

While the maidens singing,

Trip it in a round.


The Ash Grove

Down yonder green valley, where streamlets meander,

When twilight is fading I pensively rove,

Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander

Amid the dark shades of the lonely ash grove.

'Twas there, while the blackbird was cheerfully singing,

I first met my dear one, the joy of my heart!

Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing,

Ah! then little thought I how soon we should part.

Still glows the bright sunshine o'er valley and mountain,

Still warbles the blackbird its note from the tree;

Still trembles the moonbeam on streamlet and fountain,

But what are the beauties of nature to me?

With sorrow, deep sorrow, my bosom is laden,

All day I go mourning in search of my love;

Ye echoes, oh, tell me, where is the sweet maiden?

"She sleeps, 'neath the green turf down by the ash grove.

David of the White Rock

Life and its follies are fading away,

Love hath departed, why then should I stay?

Cold is my pale cheek and furrowed with care,

Dim is my eyesight, and snow-white my hair.

Near me, in silence, my harp lies unstrung,

Weak are my fingers, and falt'ring my tongue!

Tuneful companion, we parted must be;

Thou canst no longer bring comfort to me.

Yet ere we sever, thy master would fain

Swanlike expire in a last dying strain;

And when above him the cypress bough wave,

Spirits shall murmur it over his grave.


Men of Harlech

Hark! I hear the foe advancing,

Barbed steeds are proudly prancing,

Helmets in the sunbeams glancing

Glitter through the trees.

Men of Harlech, lie ye dreaming?

See ye not their falchions gleaming,

While their pennons gaily streaming

Flutter in the breeze?

From the rocks rebounding,

Let the war cry sounding

Summon all at Cambria's call,

The haughty foe surrounding,

Men of Harlech, on to glory!

See, your banner famed in story

Waves these burning words before ye

"Britain scorns to yield!"

'Mid the fray, see dead and dying,

Friend and foe together lying;

All around, the arrows flying,

Scatter sudden death!

Frighten'd steeds are wildly neighing,

Brazen trumpets hoarsely braying,

Wounded men for mercy praying

With their parting breath!

See! they're in disorder!

Comrades, keep close order!

Ever they shall rue the day

They ventured o'er the border!

Now the Saxon flies before us!

Vict'ry's banner floateth o'er us!

Raise the loud exulting chorus

"Britain wins the field,"

All Through the Night

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee

All through the night;

Guardian angels God will send thee

All through the night.

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,

I my loving vigil keeping,

All through the night.

While the moon her watch is keeping

All through the night;

While the weary world is sleeping

All through the night.

Over thy spirit gently stealing,

Visions of delight revealing,

Breathes a pure and holy feeling,

All through the night.

Deep the silence round us spreading,

All through the night;

Dark the path that we are treading,

All through the night.

Still the coming day discerning,

By the hope within us burning,

To the dawn our footsteps turning,

All through the night.

Star of Faith the dark adorning,

All through the night;

Leads us fearless toward the morning,

All through the night.

Though our hearts be wrapped in sorrow,

From the home of dawn we borrow,

Promise of a glad tomorrow,

All through the night.