FAREWELL, old year, "the bourne" is near, "Whence traveller ne'er returneth"— Passing away from time for aye, Thy life-light faintly burneth. Farewell, old year, dark shapes of fear, Grim spectres pale and gory Flitting around with moaning sound, Tell us thy sad war story. Farewell, old year, we do not fear Republic or Imperial — If war inclined, they both shall find We're rather tough material. Farewell, old year, thy past career Hath given both gloom and gladness; Thou gave us peace, but no decrease In human crime and madness. Farewell, old year, the pall and bier Thou saw us oft attending, And heard oft-times the merry chimes Of birth and wedlock blending. Farewell, old year, a voice we hear, How solemnly it falleth— "All flesh is grass," prepare to pass, Ere long the Master calleth. Farewell, old year, thy knell we hear Through Time's dark arches sounding; Wrapt in thy shroud, a dense, dark cloud Thy solemn bier surrounding. Farewell, old year, we still have cheer, Though tinged with doubt and sorrow, We leave thy urn and gladly turn To give new year good morrow. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PALINODE; AUTUMN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE WELFORD WEDDING by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST A NYMPH TO A YOUNG SHEPHERD, INSENSIBLE OF LOVE by PHILIP AYRES LILIES: 29 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE SWORD by MICHAEL JOSEPH BARRY THE SCHOOLROOM OF POETS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |