Long, Long Ago

Old friend of mine, you were dear to my heart,
Long, long ago, long ago.
Little did we think of a time we should part,
Long, long ago, long ago.
Hand claspt in hand thro' the world we would go.
Down our old untrodden path the wild weeds grow!
Great was the love 'twixt us; bitter was the smart:
Old friend of mine long ago.

Patient watch I kept for you many, many a day,
Long, long ago, long ago;
Waited and wept for you far, far away,
Long, long ago, long ago.
Merry came each May- tide, green leaves would start:
Never came my old friend back to my heart.
Lonely I went on my weary, weary way,
Old friend of mine long ago.

Oft as I muse at the shadowy nightfall
Over the dear Long Ago,
Borne on tears arises the dark, dark pall,
Fallen on my heart long ago.
Love is not dead, tho' we wander apart;
How I could clasp you, old friend to my heart
Barriers lie between us, but God knoweth all,
Old friend of mine long ago.