Lyrics of joy / by Frank Dempster Sherman [electronic text]

CANOE SONG

GRACEFULEST of buoyant things, Wanting but the snowy wings Of your kin, the swan, to be Queen of both the sky and sea; Softly down the tranquil stream, As through slumber glides a dream, With the current let us go Where the slim reeds, row on row, Make sweet music all day long, And the air is full of song.

Silent as the red man, who Out of birch-bark fashioned you, Steal along and come upon Hosts of water-lilies wan Suddenly, and bring surprise To their wonder-waking eyes; Then be off again once more, Shadow-like, and haunt the shore, Gathering from bending grass Water secrets as you pass.

On and on and on we drift Till the stars begin to sift Through the twilight and, on high, At her window in the sky Comes the Night's pale bride to hark For his message through the dark; Till at last the silver sand Reaches down and bids us land, Then till dawn, farewell to you — Sister of the swan — Canoe!