Sadly to mine heart appealing, 
Sadly, sadly well a day 
Requiem like in murmurs stealing 
Comes that old familiar lay:

Wherefore not the wonted pleasure 
From the antique music spring? 
Why that well remembered measure 
Grieving thoughts and anguish bring? 

Sadly, sadly well a day, 
Sadly sadly well a day, 
Requiem like in murmurs stealing 
Comes that old familiar lay. 

Forms departed rise before me, 
Smiles long vanish'd greet again, 
Eyes forever seal'd beam o'er me, 
Soothing once the sense of pain. 

And with ev'ry thrilling number 
Words of love gush on mine ear, 
Voices sweet, that bound in slumber, 
Hush'd have been for many a year. 

Sadly, sadly well a day 
Sadly, sadly well a day 
Requiem like in murmurs stealing 
Comes that old familiar lay. 

Like the winds in autumn sighing 
Through the trembling alder tree 
Or far surges' echo dying 
Soft and low those voices flee; 

And as hues in twilight fading, 
Swift those gentle forms decay; 
Vainly, vainly, hope upbraiding, 
Bids them pass not all away. 

Sadly, sadly well a day 
Sadly, sadly well a day 
Requiem like in murmurs stealing 
Comes that old familiar lay. 

Ghost like thus they wane before me, 
Quench'd their luster fled their bloom, 
While pale mem'ry, tearful, o'er me 
Flings the shadow of the tomb. 

Sadly to mine heart appealing, 
Sadly, sadly well a day, 
Requiem like, in murmurs stealing, 
Comes that old familiar lay. 

Sadly, sadly well a day 
Sadly, sadly well a day 
Requiem like in murmurs stealing 
Comes that old familiar lay.