Sunset on the Mississippi

O beautiful hills in the purple light, That shadow the western sky, I dream of you oft in the silent night, As the golden days go by.

The river that flows at my longing feet Is tinged with a deeper glow; But the song that it sings is as sad to-day As it was in the long ago.

The far-off clouds in the far-off sky Are tinted with gold and red; But the lesson they tell to the hearts of men Is a lesson that never is said.

The star-crowned night in her sable plumes Is veiling the eastern sky, And she trails her robes in the dying fires That far in the west do lie.

A single gem from her circlet old Is lost as she wanders by, And the beautiful star with its golden light Shines out in the lonely sky.

O beautiful star in the misty sky, My soul would take wings with tee; But you sail away in your golden seas With never a thought for me.

O sun-crowned hills in the purple light. I could sit at your feet forever; But you fade away in the shadowy night And I'll see you again, ah, never.

Dark river that flows at my longing feet, I list to your music low; But the song that you sing brings me thoughts to-night Of the beautiful long ago;

And my soul grows sad as I think of the day— That radiant day of light— When the sun went down in a glory of gold 'Neath the pitiless shadows of night.

Farewell, ye hills in the purple light; Farewell to your glory forever; You fade away in the silent night, And I'll see you again, ah, never!