Oh! why am I so happy?
S. Foster
Oh! why am I so happy,
Why these feelings of delight?
And why does gladness cheer me?
Why every thing so bright?
'Tis my father's voice and brother's smile,
My sister's fond caress,
My mother's gentle pleading prayer,
Her little boy to bless.
Why, oh why am I so happy,
Why these feeling of delight?
Oh, why does gladness beam around?
Why everything so bright?
I see angels smiling
When at my father's side,
And glowing scenes of pleasure
Before my vision glide.
O, how pleasant too the quiet eve
I feel so full of joy
Whene'er he breathes the gentle prayer
To guide his little boy.
Why, oh why am I so happy,
Why these feeling of delight?
Oh, why does gladness beam around?
Why everything so bright?
Sometimes, when bending o'er me,
I've heard my mother sigh,
And then I've seen the tear-drop
Stand trembling in her eye
While she said she dreamed of future days
Of bliss without alloy,
And prayed that heaven would shower down
Rich blessings on her boy.
Why, oh why am I so happy,
Why these feeling of delight?
Oh, why does gladness beam around?
Why everything so bright?