And can it be, oh, can it be, My sister sweet, my own, That thou hast sailed across the sea From the isle of Time to Eternity, And left me all alone?
And left me all alone! alone!! Alone on a desert isle; And thou beyond the bar hast gone Into a golden realm unknown Radiant in Heaven's smile!
Into a golden realm of bliss Where flowers forever bloom, Where weary pilgrims rest in peace, And songs supernal never cease, Nor night doth throw its gloom.
Yes, lovely Love, Evangeline, Thou dwellest over there Far from the sordid and the mean, From every sick'ning earthly scene, In Paradise so fair.
I look around, and I look around, And I look for thee, sweet maid; And I traverse o'er familiar ground, But find thee not where once thou'st found, Where frequently we strayed.
I well remember, ah! I do, Our pleasant journey longs; At star play-time when rain-doves rue We ofttimes strolled as lovers do When Philomela sings.
Beneath the whispering trees we strolled On moonlit eves in Spring; Nor wast thou ever overbold, But maidenly and modest-souled-The queen, and I the king.
Our love was stronger than the love Of courting lad and lass; Our hearts did for each other move As fervidly as saints above Beside the sea of glass.
For thee, my sister, yea, for thee, I would have gladly died; Life was not anything to me Except to let me love, and be Forever near thy side.
For thee I would have gladly died, I would my life have given; But thou didst close thine eyes and glide On angel's wings across the tide Into that waveless haven.
I yearn for thee, and I sigh for thee, And I cry for thee, sweet girl, And linger to hear the melody Of thy voice as soft as a moon-kissed sea That musically doth purl.
But I would not call the back -- no, no! Back to a vale of tears; To a desolate desert where naught doth grow But bitter buds -- where cold winds blow Their cruel invisible spears.
Back from a paradise of bliss To a prison-house of bale; Back from thy calm contentedness To a stage of strife and dire distress Where panged suff'rers wail.
Ah no! The thought I cannot bear, I could not be forgiven; But I shall seek for thee, my fair Evangeline, waiting there For me in tearless Heaven.
