1 O the shadows--beautiful shadows!
Floating far o'er the hills away;
As o'er the sky the light clouds fly,
So over the mountains wander they.

2 O the shadows--beautiful shadows!
Sleeping soft o'er the meadows green;
Fair are the flowers in sun-bright bowers,
But fairer the flowers those shades between.

3 O the shadows--beautiful shadows!
Dancing light on the ocean's spray;
They change each wave from gay to grave,
Like frowning smiles of a child at play.

4 O the shadows--merciful shadows!
Like a balm for the bleeding heart,
When first it knows that love's flame glows
More strong and pure when joys depart.

5 Bless the shadows--beautiful shadows!
And remember, as you gaze abroad,
In heaven and earth, shades owe their birth
To light, and light is the shadow of God.