Edward Bliss Emerson (1805–1834)

FAREWELL, ye lofty spires

That cheered the holy light!

Farewell, domestic fires

That broke the gloom of night!

Too soon these spires are lost,

Too fast we leave the bay,

Too soon by ocean tost

From hearth and home away,

Far away, far away.

Farewell, the busy town,

The wealthy and the wise,

Kind smile and honest frown

From bright, familiar eyes.

All these are fading now;

Our brig hastes on her way;

Her unremembering prow

Is leaping o’er the sea,

Far away, far away.

Farewell, my mother fond,

Too kind, too good to me,

Nor pearl, nor diamond

Would pay my debt to thee;

But even thy kiss denies

Upon my cheek to stay.

The winged vessel flies,

And billows round her play,

Far away, far away.

Farewell, my brothers true,

My betters, yet my peers,

How desert without you

My few and evil years!

But though aye one in heart,

Together sad or gay,

Rude ocean doth us part,

We separate to-day,

Far away, far away.

Farewell I breathe again

To dim New England’s shore:

My heart shall beat not when

I pant for thee no more.

In yon green palmy isle,

Beneath the tropic ray,

I murmur never while

For thee and thine I pray:

Far away, far away.