Miner's Dream of Home

Transcript

It is ten weary years since I left England's shore, in a far distant country so long. How I long to return to my own native land, to my friends and the old folks at home. Last night as I slumbered I had a strange dream that seemed to bring distant friends near.

I dreamt of old England, the land of my birth, to the heart of whose sons ever dear. I saw the old homestead and faces I love, I saw England's fairies and fairs. I listened with joy as I did when a boy heard the sound of the old village bells.

The lark was burning brightly for the night that should vanish all sin. For the bells were ringing the old year out and the new year in. While the joyous bells rang swift I went my way to the cot where I lived with a boy.

And I looked in the window, yes there by the fire, that my parents, my heart, filled with joy. The tears trickled fast down my brown sparrow cheek as I gazed on my mother so dear. I knew in my heart she was raising a prayer for the boy whom she dreamt not was near.

I saw the old homestead and faces I love, I saw England's fairies and fairs. I listened with joy as I did when a boy heard the sound of the old village bells. The lark was burning brightly for the night that should vanish all sin.

For the bells were ringing the old year out and the new year in. At the door of the cottage we met face to face, was the first time for ten weary years. To the front was the cottage, we stood hand in hand, the parents and wanderers in tears.

Once more in the fireplace the old cloth burned bright and I promised no more would I roam. And I sat in the old vacant chair by the hearth and I sang the ears of old sweet home. I saw the old homestead and faces I love, I saw England's fairies and fairs.

I listened with joy as I did when a boy heard the sound of the old village bells. The lark was burning brightly for the night that should vanish all sin. For the bells were ringing.

Transcribed by AI from the recording above. These are noisy hundred-year-old cylinders, so expect misheard words and the occasional invented line — trust your ears over the text.