Composed by ELP for Mrs. CMR to recite at a concert in Oct 1895 in the old Union Meeting House. Beautiful Isle, by the old, open sea, Land of my childhood, my heart turns to thee, Yearns for the home by the old rock-bound shore. Longs for a glimpse of the glad days of yore. Yearns for the seashore and mountains so blue Beautiful emblems of nature so true, Ocean and beaches, rocks, valleys and hills, Forests and meadows, fields, brooklets and rills. Fondly I dream of that home by the sea, Where I in childhood was happy and free, Happy with loved ones and kind playmates there, The years glided swiftly, I knew not a care, Oft with those playmates I've roaded hand in hand, Often we've lingered and played on the strand, Gathered bright shells from the surf-beaten shore, Camped in the forests that grew near our docr. Through those old pastures we've wandered for hours Searching for berries and wild gragrant flowers Happy in childhood, with hearts light and free; As the birds sailing over our deep rolling sea, Often we've sailed o'er that ocean so wide, Bounding along with the wind and the tide, Gased on those mountains that towered so high, Toward the white clouds in the clear azure sky. In that old school-house that stands on the hill, Oft we have mingled our voices at will, Studied our lessons together with care, Sung many anthems and choruses there. Though I am older, those days, "Auld Lang Syne" Waft to me thoughts of my own native clime, Still doth my heart as in fond days or yore, Cling to that Isle and that home by the shore. 565