How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view.
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How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view.
. . . .
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

'Tis rushing now adown the spout,
And gushing out below,
Half frantic in its joyousness,
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'Tis rushing now adown the spout,
And gushing out below,
Half frantic in its joyousness,
And wild in eager flow.
The earth is dried and parched with heat,
And it hath long'd to be
Released from out the selfish cloud,
To cool the thirsty tree.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.

Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.

I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any read more

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.
The very deep did rot: O Christ!
That ever this should be!
Yes, slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy sea.

The world turns softly
Not to spill its lakes and rivers,
The water is held in its read more

The world turns softly
Not to spill its lakes and rivers,
The water is held in its arms
And the sky is held in the water.
What is water,
That pours silver,
And can hold the sky?

How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it,
As, poised on the curb, it inclined to my read more

How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it,
As, poised on the curb, it inclined to my lips!
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
The brightest that beauty or revelry sips.