Air—Belle Mahone.
Hark! the tolling of the bells.
How it sinks and how it swells!
O’er the sleeping town it knells,
“Fare thee well, Old Year.”
Far across the snowy plain
Rolls the many-tongued refrain,
And the echoes cry again,
“Fare thee well, Old Year.”
Thou hast been a kindly year,
Thou hast spared us many a tear,
Thou hast vanquished many a fear,
Fare thee well, Old Year.
Lightly touched by summer showers,
Budding hopes have grown to flowers,
Happy days have flown like hours,
Fare thee well, Old Year.
Many a lesson thou hast taught,
Precious favors thou hast brought,
Pleasant changes thou hast wrought,
Fare thee well, Old Year.
Now thy rule is near an end,
Thy last records have been penned,
We must part at last, true friend.
Fare thee well, Old Year.
Close and seal the book of fate,
With whate’er it may relate,
Sin and goodness, love and hate,
Fare thee well, Old Year.
One more volume is complete,
Take it to the Mercy Seat,
Lay it at the Master’s feet,
Fare thee well, Old Year.
REFRAIN.
Fare thee well, Old Year,
Fare thee well, Old Year,
Thou hast been a faithful friend,
Fare thee well, Old Year.