Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/103

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Miss Lilian Leveridge of Toronto, author of 'Over the Hills of Home and Other Poems.' Born in Hockering, Norfolk county, England. Came to Canada, when four years of age, with her parents who settled at Coe PI ill, Hastings county, Ontario. In 1914, the family moved to Carrying Place, Prince Edward county. Miss Leveridge taught public school for several years. The pathos and tenderness of this poem has touched many hearts. It was written as a tribute to Corporal Frank E. Leveridge who was wounded in action and died in France.

OVER THE HILLS OF HOME

LADDIE, little laddie, come with me over the hills,
Where blossom the white May lilies, and the dogwood and daffodils;
For the Spirit of Spring is calling to our spirits that love to roam
Over the hills of home, laddie, over the hills of home.

Laddie, little laddie, here's hazel and meadow rue,
And wreaths of the rare arbutus, a-blowing for me and you,
And cherry and bilberry blossoms, and hawthorn as white as foam—
We'll carry them all to mother, laddie, over the hills at home.

Laddie, little laddie, the winds have many a song,
And blithely and bold they whistle to us as we trip along;
But your own little song is sweeter, your own with its merry trills,
So, whistle a tune as you go, laddie, over the windy hills.

Laddie, little laddie, tis time that the cows were home.
Can you hear the klingle-klangle of their bell in the greenwood gloam?

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