VACATION DAYS.



Each year, early in the summer, 

  While yet 't is blue, blue June, 

Suddenly the wild birds waken,

And with a longing tune 

Go song-singing of the children

That are shut in from the sun;

"They are coming," the singers carol,

"For the school-days are done! "

And they sing the song of cherries

Along the garden wall; 

And they sing the song of berries

That grow in thickets tall; 

And they sing the song of rambles,

Long rambles in the sun: 

"They are coming," the singers carol, 

"For the school-days are done!"

And they sing the song of hammocks

Hung in the deep pine-trees, 

Where the children brown and brighten

With swaying in the breeze, 

Happy, happy little children

Just let out in the sun! 

"They are coming," the singers carol, 

"For the school-days are done! "

Give the world up to the children,

Yes, near and far and wide! 

Let the willing welcomes waken

Up all the country side! 

Meet them, bird, and bee, and blossom,

And meet them, breeze and sun, 

Carol! carol! Oh, carol! Carol!

That the school-days are done!





ELLA FARMAN, in Wide Awake.