My gentle Harp, once more I waken br The sweetness of thy slumbering strain; br In tears our last farewell was taken, br And now in tears we meet again. br No light of joy hath o'er thee broken, br But, like those harps whose heavenly skill br Of slavery, dark as thine, hath spoken, br Thou hang'st upon the willows still. br br And yet, since last thy chord resounded, br An hour of peace and triumph came, br And many an ardent bosom bounded br With hopes -- that now are turn'd to shame. br Yet even then, while Peace was singing br Her halcyon song o'er land and sea, br Though joy and hope to others bringing, br She only brought new tears to thee.