A cycle of life : five songs

Life, with here a smile, with there a tear,
relentless river,
Moves from day to day from year to year,
Nor lingers ever.

Love, upon its banks imploring stands
In anguish calling,
Stands with yearning eyes and outstretched hands
And soft tears falling.

Life, thy ways are long[,] thy end is dark,
And we, unknowing
Whence it was we came, or why we embark,
Or whither going,
Live and love awhile
And pray at last
To reap our sowing.

Down in the forest something stirred
So faint that I scarcely heard:
But the forest leapt at the sound,
Like a good ship homeward bound.
Down in the forest something stirred,
It was only the note of a bird.

Now in the morning of life I stand
And I long for the touch of your hand;
I am here at your door,
Oh love, we will wait no more!

Down in the forest something stirred,
It was only the note of a bird.

Love, I have won you and held you
In a lifelong quickening dream;
When the meadows sprang fair with flowers
And the river was a all a gleam.

Warm shone the sunlight around us,
And clear were the skies above,
Till the stars peep'd forth in the twilight,
And the moon rose pale with love.

Love[,] I have won you and held you,
Life has no more to give,
Then come to me here in the sunshine,
It is summer, ah, let us live!

The winds are calling, calling,
And the friendly voices die;
The rain is falling, falling,
From out a frowning sky;
Then let us quickly you and I
Goodbye!

If aught that I have told you
Should bring a moment's pain,
Love I will take and hold you
Within my arms again;
And press you closely to my heart
Before we part
Then let us say it quickly you and I
Goodbye!

Drift down, drift down from the skies,
Little white snowflakes falling fast,
Like sleep that falls on tired eyes
To bring us peace at last:
Drift down, drift down from the skies,
Little white snowflakes falling fast.

Fall soft, fall soft on my love,
Little white snowflakes drifting down,
Messengers from the skies above,
On the winds of passion blown;
Fall soft, fall soft on my love,
Little white snowflakes drifting down.

Drift down, drift down from the skies...