The Old Songs

THE OLD SONGS.

"I cannot sing the old songs,"
The truth must be confest;
Their melodies awaken
No memories in my breast
Althougn the old familiar words
Are dearer far than gold,
I cannot sing the old songs,
so let the trith be told.

I cannot sing tbe old songs.
But when I read them o'er,
The scenes of boyhood’s happy days
To mem’y they restore;
The rippling stream, the grassy vale,
The deep umbrageous wood-
I cannot sing the old songs,
I often wish I could.

I cannot sing the old songs,
The soul inspiring lays
Which lift the veil that hides the past,
Restoring youthful days,
Although the words I know full well.
The airs l cannot hum,
I cannot sing the old songs,
For I am deaf and dumb.

-Boston Courier