O, thou beautiful New Haven!
Do I greet thee once again?
Scenes upon my heart engraven,
I review with pleasing pain;
Sweet are mem’ry’s scenes at last,
Though I feel that they are past.
Yet—though gone, I will enjoy them,
Why should they be dead to me?
Why should not my heart employ them,
Savior! to attract to thee?
Those who shared my earthly pleasures,
Thou hast made my heavenly treasures.
Sweet New Haven! well known places,
Carpeted with brightest green,
Call back dear familiar faces,
Part of every mem’ried scene;
Could I breathe thy classic air,
And my loved ones not be there?
Every murmur of the fountain,
Hidden ’neath the clustering shade;
Every rock and every mountain,
Every cool and verdant glade
Has its music—tuneful numbers,
Often heard in midnight slumbers.
There are green immortal bowers,
Where my dearest ones have gone!
Trees of life—unfading flowers,
Cooling shade, and verdant lawn.
Living fountains murmur there,
Flowing free, and sparkling clear.
Yes—thy beauties shall remind me
Of my peaceful home on high,
Nor to earth shall mem’ry bind me,
While I see with tearful eye
These loved scenes of dear New Haven,
Deeply on my heart engraven.