Sweet Ellen, Sorrow's Child

Cold blew the wind, no gleam of light, When Ellen left her home, And brav'd the horrors of the night, O'er dreary wilds to roam: The lovely maid, had late been gay, When hope and pleasure smil'd; But now, alas! to grief a prey Was Ellen, sorrow's child.

She long was William's promis'd bride, But ah! how sad a doom: The gentle youth, in beauty's pride, Was summon'd to the tomb! No more those joys shall Ellen prove, Which many an hour beguil'd, From morn to eve she mourns her love, Sweet Ellen, sorrow's child.

With fault'ring step, away she hies, O'er William's grave to weep, For Ellen, there, with tears and sighs, Her watch would often keep; The pitying angel saw her woe, And came with aspect mild, Thy tears shall now no longer flow, Sweet Ellen, sorrows child.

Thy plaintive notes were heard above, Where thou shalt soon find rest, Again thou shalt behold thy love, And be forever blest: Ah! can such bliss be mine, she cry'd, With voice and looks so wild; Then sunk upon the earth and dy'd— Sweet Ellen, sorrow's child!