CHRISTMAS EVE.
PART FIRST.
Darkness like the grave; on the window frost,
But in the room beside the stove is warm.
By the fire’s blaze granny sits and nods,
While the maidens spin the soft flax by storm.
Spin around, whirl around, spinning-wheel mine,
Advent is nearing, and rest shall be thine,
For soon, for oh soon will be Christmas time.
Oh, diligent maidens I love to see
Spinning their flax in the long winter night,
For pay they’ll receive when spinning is done;
And a linen pile is a gladsome sight.
And youths will come for a diligent girl,
They will say, “Oh, maiden, beloved, be mine!
I will take thee home as my cherished wife,
And I will be wholly, wholly thine.
“I’ll be thy husband, and thou’lt be my wife,
Give me thy hand, that I know it is so!”
Then the maiden will cut her linen fine,
And gladly her wedding shirts she will sew.
Spin around, whirl around, spinning wheel mine,
Advent is nearing and rest will be thine;
For soon, for oh soon will be Christmas time.
PART SECOND.
Ho! thou Christmas evening,
Filled with mystic awe.
Good perhaps thou bringest,
Better then we saw.
