Author: Samuel T. Woodworth; Russel H. Conwell Hymnal: The Cyber Hymnal #11991 First Line: How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood Refrain First Line: The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket Lyrics: 1 How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view.
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wildwood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew.
The wide spreading pond, the mill that stood by it;
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell.
The cot of my father, the dairy house nigh it,
And e’en the rude bucket that hung in the well.
Refrain:
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss covered bucket that hung in the well.
2 The moss covered bucket I hailed as a treasure,
For often, at noon, when returned from the field
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure,
The purest and sweetest that nature can yield;
How ardent I seized it with hands that were glowing,
And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell;
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well. [Refrain]
3 How sweet from the green, mossy rim to receive it
As poised on the curb, it inclined to my lip;
No full, blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
Tho’ filled with the nectar that seraphim sip.
And now, far removed from the loved situation,
The tear or regret will intrusively swell,
As fancy reverts to my father’s plantation,
And sighs for the bucket which hung in the well. [Refrain]
4 But dearer than fountain or well of our homestead,
The water of life which our Savior shall bring,
But brighter and cooler than old oaken bucket
Are draughts of salvation from Heaven’s clear spring;
The wide stretching valleys in colors so fadeless,
Where trees are all deathless and flowers ever bloom;
The dearly belovèd who stands at the portal,
Expectantly waiting to welcome us home,
Refrain:
’Tis better, far better, than all earth can give us,
To drink with the loved ones at fountains of Go Languages: English Tune Title: [How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood]
The Old Oaken Bucket
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