Bright are the skies above me

Bright are the skies above me

And blue the waters roll.

Ah! if but those that love me

Were here, my joy were whole.

When those we love are wanting,

Then o'er the clouded heart,

A thousand visions haunting

Their darkening shadows dart.

Wild bird that fliest so lightly,

Ah! whither dost thou roam?

Thou art a wanderer rightly,

Thou hast not left thy home.

For thou, altho' thou art nestless,

Art not so lone as he

Whose spirit, sad and restless,

Impels him o'er thy sea.