I would give all ambition has thought or planned
To lay one bud in her outstretched hand
And see her smile to-day.
To lay one bud in her outstretched hand
And see her smile to-day.
Where shall I take my roses?
Shall I walk down the busy street
And give each child I meet
Whose longing eyes shall ask it
One flower from my brimming basket,
One rosebud fresh and sweet?
Shall I walk down the busy street
And give each child I meet
Whose longing eyes shall ask it
One flower from my brimming basket,
One rosebud fresh and sweet?
Or shall I take my roses
To cheer an invalid's room
With color and perfume?
From altar and chancel swinging
Where the lofty choir is singing
Shall they burn their censer bloom?
To cheer an invalid's room
With color and perfume?
From altar and chancel swinging
Where the lofty choir is singing
Shall they burn their censer bloom?
SONG
My merry maid in the maple shade,
With the fresh, green leaves above you,
With your child-like face and your artless grace,
Oh, who could help but love you!
With the fresh, green leaves above you,
With your child-like face and your artless grace,
Oh, who could help but love you!
And I would not break for your own sweet sake,
Your dreams, all their fairies routing,
And idly change, with a truth so strange,
Your young heart's faith to doubting.
Your dreams, all their fairies routing,
And idly change, with a truth so strange,
Your young heart's faith to doubting.
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