Of mournful whip-poor-will.

“Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!”

Sad and shrill,—“whippoorwill!”

 What knew I then of trouble? An idle little lad, I had not learned the lessons That make men wise and sad. I dreamed of grief and parting, And something seemed to fill My heart with tears, while in my ears Resounded “whip-poor-will.” “Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!” Sad and shrill,—“whippoorwill!”

What knew I then of trouble?

An idle little lad,

I had not learned the lessons

That make men wise and sad.

I dreamed of grief and parting,

And something seemed to fill

My heart with tears, while in my ears

Resounded “whip-poor-will.”

“Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!”

Sad and shrill,—“whippoorwill!”

 'Twas but a cloud of sadness, That lightly passed away; But I have learned the meaning Of sorrow, since that day. For nevermore at twilight, Beside the silent mill, I'll wait for you, in the falling dew, And hear the whip-poor-will. “Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!” Sad and shrill,—“whippoorwill!”

'Twas but a cloud of sadness,

That lightly passed away;

But I have learned the meaning

Of sorrow, since that day.

For nevermore at twilight,

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