I' VE braided thee a garland bright,
Of lovely flow'rs combined,
An emblem of thy gentle form,
A symbol of thy mind;
Oh! may, with each returning spring,
Thy hopes as radiant be!
Then wear the wreath upon thy brow,
And still remember me.

I've pluck'd the mountain evergreen,
A token of thy truth;
I've deck'd it with the blooming rose,
The lovely type of youth;
I've sought the modest violet,
Around the verdant dell;
I've cull'd the lily of the vale,
Thy purity to tell.

And brightly will the garland twine
Around thine auburn hair;
Its roses with thy rosy cheeks
Will beauteously compare;
The lilies with thine ivory brow
As gracefully will vie;
And dew-drop gems will sparkle there,
To match thy beaming eye.

Alas! that flow'rs so beautiful
Must wither and decay;
Alas! that thus the fairest form
Must shortly fade away;
But may'st thou seek a better part,
A brighter world on high,
And smile to see in death's dark storm
The rainbow of the sky.

Then wear this garland on thy brow,
And think by whom 'twas wove;
Oh! keep it as the sacred pledge
Of warm, devoted love!
And still with each returning spring
I'll twine fresh flow'rs for thee,
If thou wilt take this blooming wreath,
And kindly smile to me!