A Farewell to English Friends

“Far, far away!”
Simple, but sadly tender,
These words unlock the heart’s deep springs
And bid its fountains play.
What thoughts upon the spirit rush!
What feelings from the warm heart gush,
While we pause to think on those we love,
Now far, far away!

Far, far away!
We shall think on “happy England,”
And many a “sunny memory” will shed its golden ray,
And many a welcome and farewell
From unforgotten lips will dwell
Like music’s echoes in our minds
When far, far away.

Far, far away!
While our sails are proudly swelling,
While the breezes bear us onward, and the wild waves round us play,
While our prayers rise to heaven above,
And ask its care for those we love,
Think on us,--pray for us,
The “Far, far away!”

Far, far away!
For “Afric’s sunny fountains”
Our seabird spreads her snowy wings
Midst ocean’s sparkling spray;
Old England’s shores are fading fast;
One look! the fondest, and the last;
For we go to DIE in distant realms
Far, far away!