Songs of The Seasons

 Songs of the Seasons.
Meta E. B. Thorne.

[For Four Students.]
SPRING.

The king of the day is exerting his power,
And night and cold at his bidding depart;
All nature in this resurrection hour
Will welcome my advent with joyous heart.
Then hasten, my children! Ho, March winds wild,
O'er mountain and valley, blow, madly blow!
Proclaim the glad coming of springtime mild,
And speed the departure of frost and snow!
Ye clouds of April, drop down your showers,
And fill to the brim the rivers and rills
"With liquid laughter; May's delicate flowers
Await your dripping 'mong valleys and hills.

SUMMER.

Spring scattered the seed with a lavish hand,
Her whispering breezes and magic showers
Awoke into life; see the serried ranks stand
Of fervid July's lush grasses and flowers.
Then August comes with her sultry noons
Whose hot breath gildeth the ripening grain,
And the glorious light of her harvest moons;
Now the reaper sings as he sweeps the plain:
" My gleaming scythe I swing to and fro;
Before it is falling the golden wheat -
A precious store for the time of the snow;
All praise to the Giver of mercies so sweet!"

AUTUMN.

The plentiful harvest is garnered in;
But I bring September's bounteous store
Of glowing fruitage, all hearts to win;
Now the summer's brilliant reign is o'er.
Now, royal October the scepter wields,
In whose wealth of rosy and mellow light
Seem glorified even the bare brown fields,
With their delicate veil of haze bedight.
And e'en when November, dark and chill,
In her cloud-robe somber broods o'er the earth,
When the birds are hushed 'mid woodland and hill,
And the flowers are asleep till the spring's glad birth,
There are blossoms still for the trustful heart,
Sweet hopes for what life may yet unfold,
And memories precious that will not depart
When fades from the hill-tops the autumn's gold.

WINTER.

I bring to the waiting fields the snow,
December's mantle so soft and pure,
That covers the sleeping seeds below,
To remain, till the spring's return, secure.
Ye think my touch unkind and rude
When the bracing frost and cold I bring,
Ye chant in a pining, reproachful mood
The praises of summer and dewy spring;
Yet oft at my touch the baleful seeds
Of pestilence powerless fall in death;
New vigor to youth and prime proceeds
From my clear, keen, purifying breath.
Bnt richer delights to you I bring;
For mine is the anniversary time,
When " Good-will to men!" the angels sing,
" Good-will!" the echoing joy-bells chime.

The Old Folks in The New School-House

The Old Folks in the New School-house.

Things ain't now as they used to be
A hundred years ago,
When schools were kept in private rooms
Above stairs or below;
When sturdy boys and rosy girls
Romped through the drifted snow,
And spelled t^ir duty and their " abs,"
A hundred years ago.

Those old school-rooms were dark and cold
When winter's sun ran low;
But darker was the master's frown,
A hundred years ago;
And high hung up the birchen rod,
That all the school might see,
Which taught the boys obedience
As well as Rule of Three.

Though 'twas but little that they learned,
A hundred years ago,
Yet what they got they ne'er let slip, -
'Twas well whipped in, you know.
But now the times are greatly changed,
The rod has had its day,
The boys are won by gentle words,
And girls by love obey.

The school-house now a palace is,
And scholars, kings and queens;
They master Algebra and Greek
Before they reach their teens.
Where once was crying, music sweet
Her soothing influence sheds;
Ferules are used for beating time,
And not for beating heads. 

Yes, learning was a ragged boy,
A hundred years ago;
With six weeks schooling in a year,
What could the urchin do?
But now he is a full-grown man,
And boasts attainments rare;
He's got his silver slippers on,
And running everywhere.

Some Old School-Books

 Some Old School-books.

I have been back to my home again.
To the place where I was born;
I have heard the wind from the stormy main
Go rustling through the corn;
I have seen the purple hills once more;
I have stood on the rocky coast
Where the waves storm inland to the shore;
But the thing that touched me most

Was a little leather strap that kept
Some school-books, tattered and torn!
I sighed, I smiled, I could have wept
When I came on them one morn;
For I thought of the merry little lad,
In the mornings sweet and cool,
If weather was good, or weather bad,
Going whistling off to school.

My fingers undid the strap again,
And I thought how my hand had changed,
And half in longing, and half in pain,
Backward my memory ranged.
There was the grammar I knew so well, -
I didn't remember a rule;
And the old blue speller, - I used to spell
Better than any in school;

And the wonderful geography
I've read on the green hill-side,
When I've told myself I'd surely see
All lands in the world so wide,
From the Indian homes in the far, far West,
To the mystical Cathay.
I have seen them all. But Home is best
When the evening shades fall gray.

And there was the old arithmetic,
All tattered and stained with tears;
I and Jamie and little Dick
Were together in by-gone years.
Jamie has gone to the better land;
And I get now and again,
A letter in Dick's bold, ready hand,
From some great Western plain.

There wasn't a book, and scarce a page,
That hadn't some memory
Of days that seemed like a golden age,
Of friends I shall no more see.
And so I picked up the books again
And buckled the strap once more,
And brought them over the tossing main;
Come, children, and look them o'er.

And there they lie on a little stand
Not far from the Holy Book;
And his boys and girls with loving care
O'er grammar and speller look.
He said, " They speak to me, children dear,
Of a past without alloy;
And the look of Books, in promise clear,
Of a future full of joy."

For Grandma

FOR GRANDMA

Grandma's hair is turning white;
Once 'twas long and brown and bright;
But gray hair is sweet and right
For grandma.

Grandma's eyes are getting dim;
Give the light another trim,
Bring her glasses, read the hymn.
For grandma.

Whisper trials in her ear,
She has always time to hear;
Words of wisdom and of cheer
For grandma.

Tell her things that make you glad;
Maybe she is feeling sad;
Lonesome hours are always bad
For grandma.

by Harriet D. Castle. 

Grandpa

GRANDPA

My grandpa says that he was once
A little boy like me.
I s'pose he was; and yet it does
Seem queer to think that he
Could ever get my jacket on,
Or shoes, or like to play
With games and toys, and race with Duke,
As I do every day.

He's come to visit us, you see.
Nurse says I must be good
And mind my manners, as a child
With such a grandpa should.
For grandpapa is straight and tall,
And very dignified;
He knows most all there is to know.
And other things beside.

So though my grandpa knows so much,
I thought that maybe boys
Were things he hadn't studied,
They make such awful noise.
But when I asked at dinner for
Another piece of pie,
I thought I saw a twinkle in
The corner of his eye.

So yesterday when they went out
And left us two alone,
I was not quite so much surprised
To find how nice he'd grown. 
You should have seen us romp and run!
My! now I almost see
That p'r'aps he was, long, long ago,
A little boy like me.

by Gertrude Morton Cannon.
 

Gifts For The King

Wise Men Seek The King from christianclipartreview.blogspot.com

GIFTS FOR THE KING

The wise may bring their learning;
The rich may bring their wealth;
And some may bring their greatness;
And some bring strength and health.
We, too, would bring our treasures,
To offer to the King;
We have no wealth nor learning;
What shall we children bring ?

We'll bring Him hearts that love Him;
We'll bring Him thankful praise;
And young souls meekly striving
To walk in holy ways;
And these shall be the treasures
We offer to the King;
And these are gifts that even
The poorest child may bring.

Shoe Or Stocking?

SHOE OR STOCKING?
Edith M. Thomas

In Holland, children set their shoes,
This night, outside the door;
These wooden shoes Knecht Clobes sees,
And fills them from his store.
But here we hang our stockings up
On handy hook, or nail;
And Santa Claus, when all is still,
Will plump them, without fail.

Speak out! you "Sobersides." speak out!
And let us hear your views;
Between a stocking and a shoe,
What do you see to choose?
One instant pauses Sobersides,
A little sigh to fetch-
"Well, seems to me, a stocking's best,
For wooden shoes won't stretch!"

A Christmas Wish for Children Everywhere

 A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE

I'd like a stocking made for a giant,
And a meeting-house full of toys;
Then I'd go out in a happy hunt
For poor little girls and boys;
Up the street and down the street,
And across and over the town,
I'd search and find them every one,
Before the sun went down.

One would want a little jack-knife,
Sharp enough to cut;
One would long for a doll with hair,
And eyes that open and shut;
One would ask for a china set,
With dishes all to her mind;
One would wish a Noah's ark,
With beasts of every kind.

Some would like a doll's cook-stove,
And a little toy wash-tub;
Some would prefer a little drum
For a noisy rub-a-dub-dub;
Some would wish for a story-book,
And some for a set of blocks;
Some would be wild with happiness,
Over a nice tool-box.

And some would rather have little shoes,
And other things warm to wear;
For many children are very poor,
And the winter is hard to bear;
I'd buy soft flannels for little frocks,
And a thousand stockings or so;
And the jolliest little coats and cloaks,
To keep out the frost and snow.

The Christmas Peace

 THE CHRISTMAS PEACE
Teresa Beatrice O'Hara

Because a little Child was born
The earth is filled with peace;
Old wrongs, old sorrows are forgot
In suffering's sweet surcease.
Oh, men that strain for empty gain;
Oh, hearts with hatreds torn;
There is no room for strife to-day;
A little Child is born!

A Christmas Wish!

A CHRISTMAS WISH

A happy, happy Christmas
Be yours to-day!
Oh, not the failing measure
Of fleeting earthly pleasure,
But Christmas joy abiding,
While years are swiftly gliding,
Be yours, I pray,
Through Him who gave us Christmas Day!

Sing A Song of Christmas

 SING A SONG OF CHRISTMAS
Edith Virginia Bradt

Sing a song of Christmas,
Gladdest day of all;
O'er the hills and valleys
See the splendor fall.
Sing of gleaming holly;
Sing of mistletoe;
Sing a song of Christmas
Everywhere you go.

Sing a song of Christmas,
Holy, happy day;
Sing of Bethlehem's manger,
Where the Christ-Child lay.
Sing of love unbounded-
"Peace, goodwill to men."
Sing a song of Christmas
O'er and O'er again.

Sing a song of Christmas;
E'en on this glad day
There are griefs and heartaches
All along the way-
Hearts that wait the uplift
Of your note of cheer;
Sing a song of Christmas,
Strong and sweet and clear.

If You're Good

 IF YOU'RE GOOD

Santa Claus will come to-night,
If you're good,
And do what you know is right,
As you should.
Down the chimney he will creep,
Bringing you a woolly sheep,
And a doll that goes to sleep,
If you're good.

Santa Claus will drive his sleigh
Through the wood,
But he'll come around this way,
If you're good,
With a wind-up bird that sings,
And a puzzle made of rings;
He will bring you cars that go,
If you're good

Jumping-jacks and funny things,
If you're good,
And a rocking-horse, Oh, oh!
If you're good.
And a dolly that can sneeze;
That says "Mamma!" when you squeeze;
He'll bring you one of these,
If you're good.

Santa grieves when you are bad.
As he should;
But it makes him very glad
When you're good;
He is wise and he's a dear;
Just do right and never fear;
He'll remember you each year,
If you're good.

Around The Christmas Lamp

AROUND THE CHRISTMAS LAMP
by J. L. Molloy

The wind may shout as it likes without;
It may rage, but cannot harm us;
For a merrier din shall resound within,
And our Christmas cheer will warm us.
There is gladness to all at its ancient call,
While its ruddy fires are gleaming,
And from far and near, o'er landscape drear.
The Christmas light is streaming.

A Christmas Gift

A CHRISTMAS GIFT
by Susie M. Best

A Christmas tree for you I've brought,
On every branch you'll see
A loving wish, a kindly thought,
A prayer that you may be
As happy as the birds of May
Upon this gracious Christmas Day.

The Eyes of the Christmas Tree

The Eyes of the Christmas Tree

Maybe the candles
Dancing with glee
Are the twinkling eyes
Of the Christmas Tree.
And maybe it sees
As plain as can be
How happy it makes us -
You and me!

A Christmas Stocking

 A CHRISTMAS STOCKING

The funniest stocking that ever was made
Was woven up there in our elm-branches' shade;
They worked all day long while the blue sky was shining
Until it was done. Then they put in a lining,
And-what did the birds and their wee babies do
But live in that stocking the whole summer through!
Then flew off and left it, still swaying and rocking,
And waiting for Christmas, the oriole's stocking.
Now, if I were Santa, I'd know what they need,
I'd drive up and fill that long stocking with seed!

A Christmas Quiz

 A CHRISTMAS QUIZ

In all the Santa Claus pictures
I've seen in my little day,
He's guiding across the snow-drifts
A reindeer before a sleigh.
And this is the thing about him
I'd really like to know:
Does he travel in a wagon
When there isn't any snow?

Christmas Greeting

CHRISTMAS GREETING
By Alice E. Allen

For three children or three groups of children, with greens, bells, and
Christmas cards.

First:
If we could have all the Christmas greens,
And into one wreath could string them;

Second:
If we could have all the Christmas bells,
And into one song could ring them;

Third:
If we could have all good wishes abroad
And into one word could bring them-

All:
Greens wouldn't be cheer enough,
Bells wouldn't be clear enough,
No word could be dear enough
To carry our Greeting to you! 

A Christmas Sound

 A CHRISTMAS SOUND

When next the eve of Christmas
All rosily comes round,
Just listen, dear, and you will hear
The jolliest little sound;
The pit, pat, pit, pat, patter
Of feet so small and bare-
A whole quintillion hanging socks
For Santa everywhere.

What Santa Calls Him...

 What Santa Calls Him

When Santa asked me for my name, down at the store, I said:
"My papa calls me Sorrel-top because my hair is red;
But grandpa calls me Skeezicks; my mamma calls me Joy;
And grandma calls me Bub sometimes; I call myself a Boy."
Then Santa smiled, took off my cap, and looked at me and said:
"I understand it all, my boy, and I shall call you Red."

A Christmas Telephone

 A CHRISTMAS TELEPHONE
By Alice E. Allen 

I wish I had a telephone
With golden wires unfurl'd,
And long enough and strong enough
To reach around the world‚-
I'd ring up everybody
Along the line and say,
"A very Merry Christmas
To you this Christmas Day!"

A Touch of Christmas

A Touch of Christmas

O little brown nest out there in the hedge,
Christmas has blessed even you from his store,
Though snowflakes have filled you quite up to the edge,
A bunch of bright berries hangs over your door. 

A Christmas Sleepy-Head

 A CHRISTMAS SLEEPY-HEAD

"To bed, to bed," said Sleepy-Head,
"Each night in all the year,
Except the wondrous Christmas eve;
'Tis then I'd like to hear
The patter of the reindeer hoofs;
The noise within the hall.
I wish to stay up all that night,
Nor go to bed at all!
But, no! they tuck me safely in
And take away the light -
And the very next thing that I see is
My stockings filled up tight!"

A Stitch in Time

 A Stitch in Time
By Alice E. Allen

For little girl mending Dolly's stocking.

My needle is threaded; I've put on my thimble,
It's almost her bed-time - so I must be nimble -
For Santa Claus surely would think it quite shocking
Should he find this hole in poor Dolly's stocking!

My Christmas Wish

MY CHRISTMAS WISH
By Frances Ridley Havergal

A bright and blessed Christmas Day,
With echoes of the angel's song;
And peace that cannot pass away;
And holy gladness, calm and strong;
And sweet heart carols, flowing free!
This is my Christmas Wish to thee!

A Christmas Wish

A CHRISTMAS WISH

So it happens every year-
Always has, as yet-
Such a lot of things we want,
And so few we get.
Always happens; always will;
Don't know who's to blame.
Wish you all a very merry
Christmas, just the same.

Best of All

 Best of All

From out its wreaths so bright and big
There fell a shining holly sprig,
With cheery little rustling sound
One of my story-books it crown's.
I looked to see which one it chose-
Now, which of all would you suppose?
There, in the dusk of Christmas dim,
It rested over Tiny Tim.

The Christmas Pines

THE CHRISTMAS PINES

Lovely, lovely, lovely pine trees,
All laden now with snow;
Old Santa Clans will need some helpers.
When the stormy north winds blow;
Oh, spread out your branches;
Come, sing now if you please;
Happy, happy times are coming,
And you will be Christmas trees.

A Christmas Song

 

A CHRISTMAS SONG 

Sing a song of Christmas;
A stocking full of toys;
Such a lot of presents,
For all good girls and boys;
When the stocking's opened,
The presents you shall see‚-
Isn't that a merry time
For little ones like me? 

(This song may be sung with the old tune, "Four and Twenty Black Birds")

A Christmas Jingle

 A CHRISTMAS JINGLE
Susie M. Best
 
Clack, click, clack;
It's Santa Claus and his great big pack!
Click, clack, click;
Oh, how awful if he should stick!
Skop, skip, skop;
What if he and his pack should drop!
Skip, skop, skip;
He must be black from toe to tip!
Clang, cling, clang;
Look, look, look, where the stockings hang!
Cling, clang, cling;
Hear the bells on his reindeer ring!
Ha, ho, ha;
We won't tell what it was we saw!
Ho, ha, ho;
We've found out and we know; we know!

Jimmie's Letter To Santa

 JIMMIE'S LETTER TO SANTA

Dear Santa Claus: If you could bring
A patent doll to dance and sing;
A five-pound box of caramels;
A set of reins with silver bells;
An elephant that roars and walks;
A Brownie droll that laughs and talks;
A humming top that I can spin;
A desk to keep my treasures in;
A boat or two that I can sail;
A dog to bark and wag his tail;
A pair of little bantam chicks;
A chest of tools, a box of tricks;
A scarlet suit of soldier togs;
A Noah's ark of cats and dogs;
A bicycle and silver watch;
A pound or two of butter-scotch;
A small toy farm with lots of trees;
A gun to load with beans and peas;
An organ and a music-box;
A double set of building-blocks-
If you will bring me these, I say,
Before the coming of the day,
I sort of think perhaps that I'd
Be pretty nearly satisfied.

His Letter

 

His Letter
by T. B. Weaver

I wrote a neat little letter to jolly Saint Nick;
Neither papa nor mamma could read it - that's true;
I could read it right off, very easy and quick.
I think I'm much smarter than they are; don't you?

A Christmas Secret

 A CHRISTMAS SECRET

Christmas is a time of secrets,
So I'll whisper one to you;
Grandpa says that all who try it
Find that every word is true:
"Would you have a happy day?
Give some happiness away."

Grandpa says this little secret
Should be carried through the year;
And if all would try to heed it
Earth would soon be full of cheer.
"Would you have a happy day?
Give some happiness away."

Christmas In The Heart

CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART

It is Christmas in the mansion,
Yule-log fires and silken frocks;
It is Christmas in the cottage,
Mothers filling little socks;
It is Christmas on the highway,
In the thronging, busy mart;
But the dearest, truest Christmas
Is the Christmas in the heart.

The Toys He Doesn't Like

 THE TOYS HE DOESN'T LIKE

I have no use for iron toys,
Or linen books - can't bear 'em;
They're aggravating things for boys,
For I can't break or tear 'em.

The Turkey's Lament

THE TURKEY'S LAMENT

A merry Christmas, did you say?
I wonder how you'd feel
If you were going to be killed
To make a Christmas meal!

Why can't you eat nice fresh green grass?
Or feed upon some hay?
I'm sure it would be quite as good,
And more humane, I say.

The ducks and geese upon the farm
All quite agree with me;
And think it time to put a stop
To such barbarity.

We talked together late last night,
And think the wisest plan
Would be for us to take your place,
And just to kill a man.

And then perhaps you'd understand
A little how we feel,
And vegetarian diet choose,
To make your Christmas meal.

How Santa Claus Looks

 

How Santa Claus Looks

The Santa Claus Tom Brown once saw, he said was tall and slim;
The one I saw down at the store didn't look at all like him;
The one at our house Christmas-time looked just like any man;
I can't explain just how this is - perhaps the big folks can.

When Santa Claus Comes

When Santa Claus Comes

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day ?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way:
When I see him I shall say with a bow like this, (1) 
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day ?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way;
When I see him I shall say with a smile like this, (2)
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way;
When I see him I shall say with a hose like this. (3)
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

1. Makes a pretty bow. 
2. Makes a pretty smile. 
3. Holds up a very large stocking which had been concealed until now.