Hopeful heart should banish care

Through the forest as I wander'd

With a dull and heavy brow,

O'er the dreary present ponder'd

Heart and spirit sinking low

A little Sprite was gaily swinging

On a bending Alder tree

And with tiny voice was singing

Full of merriment and glee.

Night is near and day is dying,

Still the morrow may be fair,

Foolish mortal cease your sighing

Hopeful heart should banish care.

Leaves with gladness seemed to quiver

As the wind sang merry lays,

And the sunbeams on the river

Danc'd like golden footed fays;

Lily bell and echo ringing

Tunes as joyful as could be,

While the merry sprite kept singing,

Full of merriment and glee.

Hence with sorrows, should the morrow

E'en come burden'd with its care,

Banish from thy brow its furrow,

Other days will be more fair.