It was a blessed summer's day

1 It was a blessed summer day,
The flow'rets bloom'd, the air was mild,
The little birds pour'd forth their lay,
And every thing in nature smiled.

2 In pleasant thought I wander'd on,
Beneath the deep wood's ample shade,
Till suddenly I came upon
Two children that had hither stray'd.

3 Just at an aged birch tree's foot,
A little girl and boy reclined,
His hands in hers she kindly put,
And then I saw the boy was blind!

4 "Dear Mary," said the poor blind boy,
"That little bird sings very long;
Say, do you see him in his joy,
And is he pretty as his song?"

5 "Yes, Edward, yes," replied the maid,
"I see the bird on yonder tree:"
The poor boy sigh'd and gently said,--
"Sister, I wish that I could see!"

6 "The flowers, you say, are very fair,
And bright green leaves are on the trees,
And pretty birds are singing there--
How beautiful for one who sees!

7 "Yet I the fragrant flower can smell,
And can feel the green leaf's shade,
And I can hear the notes that swell.
From these dear birds that God has made.

8 "So, sister, God is kind to me,
Though sight, alas! he has not given;
But tell me, are there any blind
Among the children up in heaven?"

9 "No, dearest Edward, these all see!
But wherefore ask a thing so odd?"
"O, Mary he's so good to me,
I thought I'd like to look at God."

Source: Linden Harp: a rare collection of popular melodies adapted to sacred and moral songs, original and selected. Illustrated. Also a manual of... #131