Mary loves the flowers

S. Foster

Mary loves the flowers!

Ah! how happy they!

E'en their darkest hours,

To me were bright, bright summer day.

Receiving all her kisses,

Inhaling ev'ry sigh,

Ever fondly bending

Toward the radiance of her eye,

The lily and the morning glory,

Can they, can they die?

Mary loves the flowers!

Ah! how happy they!

E'en their darkest hours,

To me were bright, bright summer day.

Let no elfin finger

Blur from memory's sand

Her name ah! let is linger

While my air built castles stand.

To feel her soft caressing,

Her ev'ry smile to see,

To bear her ardent blessing

Breathed in lute-toned melody

To die beneath her tender care

Were life, were life to me.

Mary loves the flowers!

Ah! how happy they!

E'en their darkest hours,

To me were bright, bright summer day.