I heard 'mid oak-trees olden

I heard 'mid oak trees olden

Blackbirds unbeholden

Rain, in gushes golden,

Rapture from above.

I saw them spread their wooing,

Flying and pursuing,

Fluttering, billing, cooing,

Through the rustling grove.

And then my song I started,

How we two were parted,

We so constant hearted

To our early love.

But as I made my murmur,

Thoughts of thee, my charmer,

Made my faith grow firmer,

Till I thus could sing;

“These giddy blackbirds pairing,

April's balmy air in,

Meet again uncaring,

With return of spring;

When we at last, delighted,

Prove the love we've plighted,

Until death united

By the marriage ring.”