Comes thy Spirit o'er the Waters

Comes thy spirit o'er the waters,When the stars wake in the west,Like a bird of passage, back againTo its deserted nest?Methinks it wanders by,When none are lingering nigh,To breathe upon my longing soulA last and farewell sigh.

Although bright flowers are round theeAnd music's voice is heard,I know that other things than theseThy spirit's depths have stirred;Tho' summer skies are fair,And soft streams murmur there,When the echoes of thy footsteps fallOn the untroubled air.

O, come! there is no musicLike the voice of those we love;There are no skies so fair as theseOur own green land above;Long have we watched for thee,Thy welcome smile to see,And for the coming of thy sailAcross the dark blue sea!