File:The Birds' Christmas Carol (1889) (14753026584).jpg

Identifier: birdschristmasca00wigg3 (find matches)
Title: The Birds' Christmas Carol
Year: 1889 (1880s)
Authors: Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923
Subjects:
Publisher: Boston and New York : Houghton, Mifflin and company
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
, I will take the Biiiggleses under mywing. Softly, Uncle Jack, whispered the boys, as hewalked into the library a little while later; We arelistening to the music in the church. They sang Carol,brothers, carol, a while ago, and now we think theorganist is beginning to play My ain countree forCarol. I hope she hears it, said Mrs. Bird; but theyare very late to-night, and I dare not speak to her lestshe should be asleep. It is after ten oclock The boy-soprano, clad in white surplice, stood in theorgan loft. The lamps shone full upon his crown offair hair, and his pale face, with its serious blue eyes,looked paler than usual. Perhaps it was somethingin the tender thrill of the voice, or in the sweetwords, but there were tears in many eyes, both in thechurch and in the great house next door. 1 am far frae my hame, I am weary aften whilesFor the langed for hame-bringin An my Faethers welcome smiles.An Ill neer be fu content^ Until my een do seeThe gowden gates o heaven In my ain countree.
Text Appearing After Image:
The Birds Christmas Carol. 65 The earth is decked wi flowrs, Mony tinted, fresh an gay,An the birdies warble blythely, For my Faether made them sae;But these sights an these souns Will as naething be to me,When I hear the angels singin In my ain countree. Like a bairn to its mither. A wee birdie to its nest,I fain would be gangin noo Unto my Faethers breast;For He gathers in His arms Helpless, worthless lambs like me,An carries them Himsel To His ain countree. There were tears in many eyes, but not in Carols.The loving heart had quietly ceased to beat and thewee birdie in the great house had flown to itshome nest. Carol had fallen asleep! But as tothe song, I think perhaps, I cannot say, she heard itafter all! So sad an ending to a happy day! Perhaps—tothose who were left—and yet Carols mother, even inthe freshness of her grief, was glad that her darling 66 The Birds Christmas Carol. had slipped away on the loveliest day of her life, outof its glad content, into everlasting peace.

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