i never will grow old.
61
Shall fling their slavish chains aside,
And spurn their dark control;
They never, never shall lay waste
That Italy of the soul!
And spurn their dark control;
They never, never shall lay waste
That Italy of the soul!
My father,—pleasant years may pass.
Ere his last sun shall set;
And—blessed be the God of life!—
My mother liveth yet.
Ere his last sun shall set;
And—blessed be the God of life!—
My mother liveth yet.
My sisters blend their souls with mine,
A laughing, loving band;
A heaven-set guard along our paths,
Our six brave brothers stand.
A laughing, loving band;
A heaven-set guard along our paths,
Our six brave brothers stand.
While God thus pours the light of joy
As sunshine round my home,
O, I 'll lay up such a store of loves
For the stormy days to come!
As sunshine round my home,
O, I 'll lay up such a store of loves
For the stormy days to come!
In the joy and grief of every one
I 'll seek to share a part,
Till grateful thoughts and wishes fond
Come thronging to my heart.
I 'll seek to share a part,
Till grateful thoughts and wishes fond
Come thronging to my heart.
