About the tide of Christmas,
When winds make stormy stir,
And Marjory a-tripping goes,
Enrobed in dainty fur,
Then it’s O leap up, leap up, my heart,
As gay as words that rhyme,
For, haply, she will trip with thee
The dance this Christmas-time!
About the tide of Christmas,
When no wood-warblers sing,
Then Marjory a-lilting goes
The lyric call of Spring;
So it’s O cheer up, cheer up, my heart,
To dream of Love’s own clime,
For, haply, she will sing to thee
Love’s song this Christmas-time!
About the tide of Christmas,
When earth is sere and sad,
Then Marjory a-smiling goes
As though her soul were glad;
So it’s O tune up, tune up, my heart,
Like bells of bliss a-chime,
For, haply, she will smile on thee
Love’s smile this Christmas-time!
About the tide of Christmas,
Though voices faint or fall,
Still Marjory a-merrying goes,
A charm to one and all:
So it’s O pluck up, pluck up, my heart,
The hill of courage climb,
For, haply, she will say to thee
Love’s “yes” this Christmas-time!
