The Skater's Song

Away! away! our fires stream bright
Along the frozen river;
And their arrowy sparkles of frosty light,
On the forest branches quiver.
Away! away! for the stars are forth,
And on the pure snows of the valley,
In a giddy trance, the moonbeams dance —
Come, let us our comrades rally!
Away! away! o'er the sheeted ice,
Away, away we go;
On our steel-bound feet we move as fleet
As deer o'er the Lapland snow.
What though the sharp north winds are out,
The skater heeds them not —
Midst the laugh and shout of the jocund rout,
Gray winter is forgot.
'Tis a pleasant sight, the joyous throng,
In the light of the reddening flame,
While with many a wheel on the ringing steel,
They wage their riotous game;
And though the night-air cutteth keen,
And the white moon shineth coldly,
Their homes, I ween, on the hills have been —
They should breast the strong blast boldly.
Let others choose more gentle sports,
By the side of the winter hearth;
Or 'neath the lamps of the festal hall,
Seek for their share of mirth;
But as for me, away! away!
Where the merry skaters be — «
Where the fresh wind blows and the smooth ice glows,
There is the place for me!