Threads of Grey and Gold — The Two Years

The Two Years Tread softly, ye throngs with hurrying feet, Look down, O ye stars, in your flight, And bid ye farewell to a time that was sweet, For the year lies a-dying to-night.

In a shroud of pure snow lie the quickly-fled hours-- The children of Time and of Light;

Stoop down, ye fair moon, and scatter sweet flowers, For the year lies a-dying to-night.

Hush, O ye rivers that sweep to the sea, From hill and from blue mountain height;

The flood of your song should be sorrow, not glee, For the year lies a-dying to-night.

Good night, and good-bye, dear, mellow, old year, The new is beginning to dawn.

But we'll turn and drop on thy white grave a tear, For the sake of the friend that is gone.

All hail to the New!

He is coming with gladness, From the East, where in light he reposes;

He is bringing a year free from pain and from sadness, He is bringing a June with her roses.

A burst of sweet music, the listeners hear, The stars and the angels give warning-- He is coming in beauty, this joyful New Year, O'er the flower-strewn stairs of the morning.

He is bringing a day with glad pulses beating, For the sorrow and passion are gone, And Love and Life have a rapturous meeting In the rush and the gladness of dawn.

The Old has gone out with a crown that is hoary, The New in his brightness draws near;

Then let us look up in the light and the glory, And welcome this royal New Year.