Catching the Sunbeams.

Catching the sunbeams, oh, wee dimpled child,         Gleefully laughing because they are bright;     Knowing, ah! never, my beautiful pet,         Ne'er can our fingers imprison the light.     Beautiful sunshine, oh! fair is the light         Falling on earth from the heavens above;     Beautiful childhood, oh! glad is the sight         Filling the world with its measure of love.     Playing with sunbeams, oh, all of us, pet,         Toy with the treasures, so shining and bright;     Catching the sunshine we never may hold,         Trying like you, to imprison the light.     Sunbeams that glitter and sparkle and shine--         Life is so full of the beautiful light;     Gilding the wings of each fleet-footed day         Only to fade in the shadows of night.     Playing with sunbeams, oh! all of us, pet,         Long for the treasures so shining and glad;     Finding too late that they slip from our hands,         Leaving us heart-sick and weary and sad.     Learning the lessons we never will heed--         Life is so full of the things that we crave;     Catching the sunshine oh, darling, each heart         Longs for the sunbeams till it reaches the grave.