Twelve Songs

I saw the moon rise clear
O'er hills and vales of snow,
Nor told my fleet reindeer
The track I wish'd to go.

Yet quick he bounded forth,
For well my reindeer knew,
I've but one path, one path on earth,
The path that leads to you!

The gloom that winter cast
How soon the heart forgets
When summer brings, at last,
Her sun that never sets!

So dawn'd my love for you,
So dawn'd my love for you,
So fix'd through joy and pain,
Than summer sun more true,
'Twill never set again.

When all the world is young, lad,
  And all the trees are green;
And every goose a swan, lad,
  And every lass a queen;
Then hey for boot and horse, lad,
  And round the world away!
Young blood must have its course, lad,
  And every dog his day.

When all the world is old, lad,
  And all the trees are brown;
And all the sport is stale, lad,
  And all the wheels run down;
Creep home, and take your place there,
  The spent and maimed among;
God grant you find one face there,
  You loved when all was young.