Old Friends

Cold blows the bleak wind around the long stranger, Wild beat the snows in his thin waving hair, One only true friend,—his old faithful Ranger, Clings to his side in the wintry despair.

Sad and forsaken, his heart throbbing slowly, His limbs numb'd and aching, his eyes dim with tears, Back steals remembrance, with grief sweet and holy, Back steals remembrance to happier years.

One only true friend, his old faithful Ranger, Clings to his side in his wintry despair; Wild blows the bleak wind around the lone stranger, Drear drifts the snow in his thin waving hair.

Hunger and age, they have done their work drearily, Yet is the forest tree grand in its fall; Faith and affection, still gleaming out cheerily, Like the sun, o'er the scene, halo it all.