120
THE KOBZAR OF THE UKRAINE
Memories of Freedom
Memories of Freedom
Bring sweet sadness to the exile's heart
And so lost liberty of mine
I dream of thee.
Never hast thou seemed to me
So fresh and young
And so surpassing fair
As now in this foreign land.
Alas! Alas!
Freedom that I sang away
Look at me from o'er the Dnieper,
Smile at me from there.
And thou my only love
Risest o'er the sea so far.
In the mist thy face appears
Like the evening star.
With thee, my only one
Thou bring'st my youthful years.
Before me like a sea—
Hamlets fair in broad array,
Cherry orchards, joyous crowds.
This the village, This the people
Who once as brothers
Welcomed me.
Mother! Dear old mother!
Home of memories fond!
Happy guests of days gone by!
