Chautauqua, Chautauqus, dear friend of my youth, Chautauqua, I love thee, indeed and in truth; I love thee, I love thee, In sunshine and storm. The heart for thee ever beats faithful and warm.
We picnicked in Summer along thy fair shore; Green branches above and blue waters before; How glad were the echoes by child voices made, While happy young lovers in fond couples strayed.
Thou hast listened to many a low whispered word, By none but the loved one and thee ever heard; Thou hast witnessed full many a passionate vow; When broken—when kept—dost thou ne'er wonder now?
With gay shouts of pleasure we bent to the oar, Till faces were sunburned and hands blistered sore. We sped o'er the bright waves, we thought not of rest, We gathered sweet blossoms that slept on thy breast. Didst miss them Chautauqua? Did sighing winds mourn The babes from thy bosom so ruthlessly torn Enchanted we lingered for hour after hour; Naught broke the charmed spell but the dinner call's power, And strange tho' to tell, yet the call sometimes vain Must needs be repeated again and again.
Beside thee we wandered thro' all the bright day, So careless, so thoughtless of life's changing way. How many we loved then we'll greet here no more, They tread now in glory, Eternity's shore.
When fierce winds of Winter the hills whistled round And fisherman's huts scattered o'er thee were found Tho snowdrifted, frozen, we deemed thee not drear, But made the whole region resound with good cheer.
Thou art grand, oh Chautauqua, when clouds sweep the sky, And kissing red lightning, white foam dashes high, Thou art fair—oh how fair, when the sun lights the west, And the waves wrapped in splendor sink sweetly to rest; To murmer of all that is lovely and blest Ah, this is the time that I love thee the best.
Then hail, dear Chautauqua! Tho' great be thy fame, And changing thy scenes, thou art ever the same. Then hail, fair Chautauqua; in letters of flame Adown future ages be written thy name. Oh sweet as the music of waves on thy shore Is the song that the heart sings for thee evermore.
