Paroles

On a sunny summer morning,
….Early as the dew was dry,
Up the hill I went a-berrying;
….Need I tell you—tell you why?
Farmer Davis had a daughter;
….And it happened that I knew,
On such sunny mornings, Jenny
….Up the hill went berrying too.

Lonely work is picking berries;
….So I joined her on the hill:
“Jenny, dear,” said I, “your basket’s
….Quite too large for one to fill.”
So we staid—we two—to fill it,
….Jenny talking—I was still—
Leading where the way was steepest;
….Picking berries up the hill.

“This is up-hill work,” said Jenny:
….“So is life,” said I; “shall we
Climb it each alone, or, Jenny,
….Will you come and climb with me?”
Redder than the blushing berries
….Jenny’s cheek a moment grew;
While, without delay, she answered,
….“I will come and climb with you.”

(Luella Clark)