George Macdonald Major

IN the Sybil Book of Youth

First I read the word in sooth;

Golden legends of a place

Full of romance, full of grace,

Till my radiant childhood teemed

With the glories that I dreamed—

Chinatown, O Chinatown.

There methought the air ne’er ceased

Blowing odors from the East,

Never ceased weird music from

Banjo, tinkling bells, tom-tom.

While each scented breeze unrolled

Flags of yellow, red, and gold—

Chinatown, O Chinatown.

Sheening silks and jeweled shoes

These, methought the Chinese use

Up and down the shining streets,

Only wealth and pleasure meets.

While the bells of Joss peal down

Blessings rich in Chinatown—

Chinatown, O Chinatown.