We welcome thy coming, bright, sunny Spring, br To this snow-clad land of ours, br For sunshine and music surround thy steps, br Thy pathway is strewn with flowers; br And vainly stern Winter, with brow of gloom, br Attempted for awhile br To check thy coming—he had to bow br To the might of thy sunny smile. br br A touch of thy wand, and our streams and lakes br Are freed from his tyrant sway, br And their clear blue depths in ripples of gold br Reflect back the sun’s bright ray; br Whilst e’en the rude rocks that their waters fret br Put on mosses green and bright, br And silent, deep homage render up now, br Sweet Spring, to thy magic might. br br And what words could tell half the wond’rous change br Thou mak’st in our forest bowers, br Replacing the snow with soft velvet sward, br Cold crystals with glowing flowers; br Clothing the leafless, unsightly trees br In rich garb of satin sheen, br And robing the meadows and woodlands wide br In thine own soft tender green. br br And the insect life that thy warm breath wakes br Now people earth and air; br And the carolling birds have come back to dwell br In the charms of thy presence fair.