Mahogany Tree
Christmas is here
Winds whistle shrill,
Icy and chill,
Little care we
Little we fear
Weather without,
Shelter'd about
The Mahogany Tree.
Once on the boughs
Birds of rare plume
Sang, in its bloom
Night birds are we
Here we carouse,
Singing, like them,
Perch'd round the stem
Of the jolly old tree.
Here let us sport,
Boys, as we sit
Laughter and wit
Flashing so free.
Life is but short
When we are gone,
Let them sing on,
Round the old tree.
Evenings we knew,
Happy as this
Faces we miss,
Pleasant to see.
Kind hearts and true,
Gentle and just,
Peace to your dust!
We sing round the tree.
Care, like a dun,
Lurks at the gate:
Let the dog wait
Happy we 'll be!
Drink every one
Pile up the coals,
Fill the red bowls,
Round the old tree.
Sorrows, begone!
Life and its ills,
Duns and their bills,
Bid we to flee.
Come with the dawn,
Blue-devil sprite,
Leave us to-night,
Round the old tree.
Writer/s: J. Dunlop, Thackery