Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1890

Comments

What the Chimney Sang
Words by F. Bret Harte
Music by Gertrude Griswold
Soprano or Ten. in F
Alto or Bar. in D.

New York. Published by G. Schrimer

Some of the resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the libraries or the institution.

Lyrics

Over the chimney the night wind sang,
And chanted a melody no one knew;
And the woman stopp'd as her babe she tossed,
And thought of the one she had long since lost,
And aisd, as the teardrops back she forced:
"I hate the wind in the chimney!"


Over the chimney the night wind sang,
And chanted a melody no one knew;
And the children said, as they closer drew:
"Tis some witch that is cleaving the black night through,
"Tis a fairy trumpet that just then blew,
And we fear the wind in the chimney!"

Over the chimney the night wind sang,
And chanted a melody no one knew;
And the man, as he sat on his hearth below,
Said to himself: "It will surely snow,
And fuel is dear and wages are low,
And I'll stop the leak in the chimney."

Over the chimney the night wind sang,
And chanted a melody no one knew;
And the poet listen'd, and smiled,
For he was man, and woman, and child, all three;
And said: "It is God's own harmony,
This wind we hear in the chimney,
'Tis God's own harmony!"

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