The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly it is speaking,
The harp through it playing has language for me.
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking,
A host of kind faces is gazing on me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
Each step wakes a memory as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden the leaves rustle o’er me
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.
Down yonder green meadow where streamlets meander,
When twilight is fading I pensively rove.
Or in the bright noontide in solitude wander,
Amid the dark shades of the lonely ash grove.
'Twas there, while the blackbird was cheerfully singing,
I first met my dear one, the joy of my heart.
Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing,
Ah! then little thought I how soon we should part.
My lips smile no more my heart loses its lightness,
No dream of the future my spirit can cheer.
I only can brood on the past and its brightness,
The dear ones I long for again gather here.
From every dark nook they press forward to meet me,
I lift up my eyes to the broad leafy dome.
And others are there, looking downward to greet me,
The ash grove, the ash grove, again is my home.