OVER THE ICE AND SNOW.
OVER the ice and snow,
With faces all aglow,
And shouts that loudly ring,
Like birds upon the wing,
The merry coasters go
Over the ice and snow..
Over the ice and snow,
With forms bent snug and low,
Like storm-toss'd ships at sea,
Mid frowning rocks they flee,
As down the course they go,
Over the ice and snow.
Over the ice and snow,
With lightning speed they go.
Tho' clothes are soiled and torn,
And shoes are rent and worn,
No fear they seem to know,
Over the ice and snow.
Over the ice and snow,
While cold the winds do blow,
Most gallantly they steer
Their sleds in mad career,
Across the meads below,
Over the ice and snow.
Over the ice and snow,
Ah many years ago,
I was as bold as they,
As innocent and gay;
But that was long ago,
Over the ice and snow.
Over the ice and snow,
With careful tread and slow,
When days of youth have fled,
And cherished hopes are dead,
These lads some day may go
Over the ice and snow.
Over the ice and snow
Of this bleak world of woe,
Oh! May they learn to steer
Their lives as free and clear
As sleds on which they go
Over the ice and snow.
—David P. Matthews.