Little Ella
Little Ella | |
Stephen Foster, 1853
| Little Ella, fairest, dearest Unto me and unto mine, Earthly cherub coming nearest To my dreams of forms divine: Her brief absence frets and pains me, Her bright presence solace brings, Her spontaneous love restrains me From a thousand selfish things. | 2. Little Ella moveth lightly Like a graceful fawn at play, Like a brooklet running brightly In the genial smile of May, Like a breeze upon the meadows All besprent with early flowers, Like a bird mid sylvan shadows In the golden summer hours. |
| 3. Little Ella brings a blessing With her bright and winning smile, With her frank and fond caressing And her prattle free from guile. When I hear her footsteps bounding, In the hall or through the grove, And her voice with joy resounding, 'Tis the music that I love. |