Dr Haydn's VI Original Canzonettas

The Mermaid's Song

Now the dancing sunbeams play

On the green and glassy sea

Come, and I will lead the way

Where the pearly treasures be.

Come with me and we will go

Where the Rocks of coral grow;

Follow follow follow me.

Come behold what treasures lie

Deep below the rolling waves

Riches hid from human Eye

Dimly shine in Ocean's caves.

Ebbing tides bear no delay

Stormy winds are far away,

Follow follow follow me.

Recollection

The Season comes when first we met,

But you return no more

Why cannot I the days forget

Which time can ne'er restore.

O! days too fair, too bright to last

Are you indeed for ever past?

The fleeting Shadows of delight

In memory I trace.

In fancy stop their rapid flight

And all the past replace.

But Ah I wake to endless woes,

And tears the fading visions close.

A Pastoral Song

My Mother bids me bind my hair

With bands of rosey hue

Tye up my sleeves with ribbands rare

And lace my Bodice blue.

For why she cries sit still and weep

While others dance and play

Alas! I scarce can go or creep

While Lubin is away.

‘Tis sad to think the days are gone

When those we love were near

I sit upon this mossy stone

And sigh! when none can hear

And while I spin my Flaxen thread

And Sing my simple lay

The Village seems asleep or dead

Now Lubin is away.

Despair

The anguish of my bursting heart,

Till now my tongue hath ne'er betray'd

Despair at length reveals the smart

No time can cure no hope can aid.

My Sorrows verging to the Grave,

No more shall pain thy gentle breast.

Think Death gives freedom to the slave,

Nor mourn for me when I'm at rest.

Yet if at eve, you chance to stray

Where silent sleeps the peacefull dead,

Give to your kind compassion way,

Nor check the tears by pity shed.

When e'er the precious drop falls

I ne'er can know, I ne'er can see;

And if sad thought my fate recalls

A Sigh may rise, unheard by me.