James Thomson (1834–1882)

‘O, WHAT are you waiting for here, young man?

What are you looking for over the bridge?’

A little straw hat with the streaming blue ribbons

Is soon to come dancing over the bridge.

Her heart beats the measure that keeps her feet dancing,

Dancing along like a wave o’ the sea;

Her heart pours the sunshine with which her eyes glancing

Light up strange faces in looking for me.

The strange faces brighten in meeting her glances;

The strangers all bless her, pure, lovely, and free:

She fancies she walks, but her walk skips and dances,

Her heart makes such music in coming to me.

O, thousands and thousands of happy young maidens

Are tripping this morning their sweethearts to see;

But none whose heart beats to a sweeter love-cadence

Than hers who will brighten the sunshine for me.

‘O, what are you waiting for here, young man?

What are you looking for over the bridge?’

A little straw hat with the streaming blue ribbons;

—And here it comes dancing over the bridge!