Best

In the gruesome night and the wintry weather,          I watched two dear friends die,     And I buried them both in one grave together.          Oh! who is so sad as I?     For the old love, and the old year,          They both have passed away;     And I never can find the old cheer          Come what will or may.     I heard the bell in the tall church steeple          Clang out a joyful strain.     And I thought, 'Of all the great world's people,          I have the bitterest pain.'     For the old year was a good year,          And the old love was sweet;     And how could my heart hold any cheer          When both lay dead at my feet.     Life may smile and the skies may brighten,          Winter will pass with its snows;     Grief will wane and the burden lighten -          And June will come with the rose.     But it cannot bring the old cheer          To fill my empty breast;     For the old year was the one year,          And the old love was best.