Oft in the stilly night
Ere slumber's chain has bound me
Fond Mem'ry brings the light
Of other days around me:
The smiles, the tears of boyhood's years
The words of love then spoken;
The eyes that shone
Now dimm'd and gone
The cheerful hearts now broken!
Thus in the stilly night
Ere slumber's chain has bound me
Sad Mem'ry brings the light
Of other days around me
When I remember all
The friends, so link'd together
I've seen around me fall
Like leaves in wintry weather
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Some banquet-hall deserted
Whose lights are fled
Whose garlands dead
And all but he departed!
Thus in the stilly night
Ere slumber's chain has bound me
Sad Mem'ry brings the light
Of other days around me