O'er the valley, o'er the mountain!
By the pathway of the foam
Leading down from yonder fountain, —
Like a honey-bird, I roam!

Thro' the wild wood and the bower,
Like the golden-coated fly
Kissing ev'ry lady-flower,
As I pass her beauty by;

Tripping round and round the blossoms
That bespeck the grassy steep,
Into all their rosy bosoms
As I run away, I peep!

O'er the meadows gaily winging
Like an idle elf I rove,
My unheeded song a-singing
To the melody I love!