The First Bird o’ Spring + 

To Olive Wheeler + 

Winter on Mount Shasta, + 

April down below; + 

Golden hours of glowing sun, + 

Sudden showers of snow! + 

Under leafless thickets + 

Early wild-flowers cling; + 

But, oh, my dear, I’m fain to hear + 

The first bird o’ Spring! + 

Alders are in tassel, + 

Maples are in bud; + 

Waters of the blue McCloud + 

Shout in joyful flood; + 

Through the giant pine-trees + 

Flutters many a wing; + 

But, oh, my dear, I long to hear + 

The first bird o’ Spring! + 

Candle-light and fire-light + 

Mingle at “the Bend;” + 

’Neath the roof of Bo-hai-pan + 

Light and shadow blend. + 

Sweeter than a wood-thrush + 

A maid begins to sing; + 

And, oh, my dear, I’m glad to hear + 

The first bird o’ Spring! + 