CASTLES IN THE AIR.
Castles in the balmy air,
They wrap my fancy bright,
And scenes of youthful happy days
Entrance my vision's sight.
Castles in the balmy air,
Ye float in numbers free,
And dance with joyful, calm delight
O'er meadow and o'er sea
Ye float o'er billows wild and deep,
Ye toss the sparkling foam,
And gladden the weary sailor's heart
With visions of his home
Ye visit the chamber of the sick,
Ye fan that young brow fair,
While weary patient gazes round,
And smiles at flight of care.
He courts of thee refreshing sleep,
That shuts his eyes so dim,
And sees in visions future joy
Ye kindly bring to him.
Then let him slumber sweetly now,
And onward speed along,
To waken lips long pent from speech
To gladsome, joyful song.
The little child in garments old,
Ye cheer her drooping heart,
And in her toil of begging bread.
She joyfully doth start;
For in her glee, she sees a home.
With those who love and cherish;
And, smiling still, goes gladly on;
Alas! that dreams must perish.
Castles in the balmy air,
How beautiful ye seem!
Ye shed your radiance far and wide.
Like morning's blushing beam.
Then gently float before me now,
And fan away my care;
For still I long to greet the sight
Of castles in the air.
They wrap my fancy bright,
And scenes of youthful happy days
Entrance my vision's sight.
Castles in the balmy air,
Ye float in numbers free,
And dance with joyful, calm delight
O'er meadow and o'er sea
Ye float o'er billows wild and deep,
Ye toss the sparkling foam,
And gladden the weary sailor's heart
With visions of his home
Ye visit the chamber of the sick,
Ye fan that young brow fair,
While weary patient gazes round,
And smiles at flight of care.
He courts of thee refreshing sleep,
That shuts his eyes so dim,
And sees in visions future joy
Ye kindly bring to him.
Then let him slumber sweetly now,
And onward speed along,
To waken lips long pent from speech
To gladsome, joyful song.
The little child in garments old,
Ye cheer her drooping heart,
And in her toil of begging bread.
She joyfully doth start;
For in her glee, she sees a home.
With those who love and cherish;
And, smiling still, goes gladly on;
Alas! that dreams must perish.
Castles in the balmy air,
How beautiful ye seem!
Ye shed your radiance far and wide.
Like morning's blushing beam.
Then gently float before me now,
And fan away my care;
For still I long to greet the sight
Of castles in the air.