'Tis merry to hear, at evening time, <br />By the blazing hearth the sleigh-bells chime; <br />To know the bounding steeds bring near <br />The loved one to our bosoms dear. <br />Ah, lightly we spring the fire to raise, <br />Till the rafters glow with the ruddy blaze; <br />Those merry sleigh-bells, our hearts keep time <br />Responsive to their fairy chime. <br />Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er vale and hill, <br />Their welcome notes are trembling still. <br /> <br />'Tis he, and blithely the gay bells sound, <br />As his sleigh glides over the frozen ground; <br />Hark! He has pass'd the dark pine wood, <br />He crosses now the ice-bound flood, <br />And hails the light at the open door <br />That tells his toilsome journey's o'er. <br />The merry sleigh-bells! My fond heart swells <br />And trobs to hear the welcome bells; <br />Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er ice and snow, <br />A voice of gladness, on they go. <br /> <br />Our hut is small, and rude our cheer, <br />But love has spread the banquet here; <br />And childhood springs to be caress'd <br />By our beloved and welcome guest. <br />With a smiling brow his tale he tells, <br />The urchins ring the merry sleigh-bells; <br />The merry sleigh-bells, with shout and song <br />They drag the noisy string along; <br />Ding-dong, ding-dong, the father's come <br />The gay bells ring his welcome home. <br /> <br />From the cedar swamp the gaunt wolves howl, <br />From the oak loud whoops the felon owl; <br />The snow-storm sweeps in thunder past, <br />The forest creaks beneath the blast; <br />No more I list, with boding fear, <br />The sleigh-bells distant chime to hear. <br />The merry sleigh-bells with soothing power <br />Shed gladness on the evening hour. <br />Ding-dong, ding-dong, what rapture swells <br />The music of those joyous bells!<br /><br />Susanna Moodie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-sleigh-bells-2/
