Though bleak these woods and damp the ground br With fallen leaves so thickly strewn, br And cold the wind that wanders round br With wild and melancholy moan, br There is a friendly roof I know br Might shield me from the wintry blast; br There is a fire whose ruddy glow br Will cheer me for my wanderings past. br br And so, though still where'er I roam br Cold stranger glances meet my eye, br Though when my spirit sinks in woe br Unheeded swells the unbidden sigh, br br Though solitude endured too long br Bids youthful joys too soon decay, br Makes mirth a stranger to my tongue br And overclouds my noon of day, br br When kindly thoughts that would have way br Flow back discouraged to my breast br I know there is, though far away br A home where heart and soul may rest. br br Warm hands are there that clasped in mine br The warmer heart will not belie, br While mirth and truth and friendship shine br In smiling lip and earnest eye. br br The ice that gathers round my heart br May there be thawed; and sweetly then br The joys of youth that now depart br Will come to cheer my soul again. br br Though far I roam, this thought shall be br My hope, my comfort everywhere; br While such a home remains to me br My heart shall never know despair.