THE OLD SONG

A new song should be sweetly sung,

   It goes but to the ear;

A new song should be sweetly sung,

   For it touches no one near.

But an old song may be roughly sung;

   The ear forgets its art,

As rises from the rudest tongue

   The tribute to the heart.

On tented fields 'tis welcome still;

   'Tis sweet on the stormy sea,

In forests wild, on lonely hill,

   And away on the prairie lea.

But dearer far the old sweet song

   When friends we love are nigh,

And well-known voices, clear and strong,

   Ring out the chorus cry.

                               Quoted by Dr. S. Weir Mitchell.