Edward FitzGerald - On Anne Allen lyrics

The wind blew keenly from the Western sea, And drove the dead leaves slanting from the tree-- Vanity of vanities, the Preacher saith-- Heaping them up before her Father's door When I saw her whom I shall see no more-- We cannot bribe thee, d**h. She went abroad the falling leaves among, She saw the merry season fade, and sung-- Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith-- Freely she wandered in the leafless wood, And said that all was fresh, and fair, and good-- She knew thee not, O d**h. She bound her shining hair across her brow, She went into the garden fading now; Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith-- And if one sighed to think that it was sere, She smiled to think that it would bloom next year! She feared thee not, O d**h. Blooming she came back to the cheerful room With all the fairer flowers yet in bloom-- Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith-- A fragrant knot for each of us she tied, And placed the fairest at her Father's side-- She cannot charm thee, d**h. Her pleasant smile spread sunshine upon all; We heard her sweet clear laughter in the Hall-- Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith-- We heard her sometimes after evening prayer, As she went singing softly up the stair-- No voice can charm thee, d**h. Where is the pleasant smile, the laughter kind, That made sweet music of the winter wind? Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith-- Idly they gaze upon her empty place, Her kiss hath faded from her Father's face-- She is with thee, O d**h.