'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 Strickland Moodie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-sleigh-bells/
