An Old Refrain

It seems to me as I think of her, That my youth has come again: I hear the breath of summer stir The leaves in the old refrain: "Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? I will seek my Love, with the wings of a dove, And pray her to love but me."

The flower-kissed meadows all once more Are green with grass and plume; The apple-trees again are hoar With fragrant snow of bloom. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

The meadow-brook slips tinkling by With silvery, rippling flow, And blue-birds sing on fences nigh, To dandelions below. Oh! my Lady-love, Oh, my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

I hear again the drowsy croon Of honey-laden bees, And catch the poppy-mellowed rune They hum to locust trees. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady-love be? etc.

Far off the home-returning cows Low that the Eve is late, And call their calves neath apple-boughs To meet them at the gate. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

Once more the Knights and ladies pass In visions Fancy-wove: I lie full length in summer grass, To choose my own True-Love. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

I know not how,--I know not where,-- I dream a fairy-spell: I know she is surpassing fair,-- I know I love her well. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

I know she is as pure as snow:-- As true as God's own Truth:-- I know,--I know I love her so, She must love me, in sooth! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

I know the stars dim to her eyes; The flowers blow in her face: I know the angels in the skies Have given her of their grace. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be? etc.

And none but I her heart can move, Though seraphs may have striven; And when I find my own True-love, I know I shall find Heaven. Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! my Lady-love! Oh! where can my Lady be! I will seek my Love with the wings of a dove And pray her to love but me.