HARVEST HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 1324, 14 April 1877, Page 19

HARVEST HOME.

Bare are the fields where golden grain Was lately waving on the plain, And now the fanner sings again — Glad Harvest Home. The mower sheaths his gleaming blade, And homewards through the sylvan glade The reapers hie with songs to aid — The Harvest Home. The " maiden sheaf "• is cut, but who Receives the emblem and the cue Of love ; whose sky is deepest blue ? This Harves Home. 'Tis Lucy, who by Robin's hand Is crowned the fairest in the band, And both step into fairy land — Love's Harvest Home. The bursting barns are full. The wold The hills, the dales, bring wealth untold ; Their dividends a hundred-fold — Rich Harvest Home. The Old Farm House is thronged with guests, Who feast and sing, and poke their jests With humour sly, yet with glad breasts— Keep / Harvest Home. In feats of skill they try their lance, And those the Harvest joy enhance. By whirling in the rustic dance— Of Harvest Home. Though bluff and plain the farmer be, A large and generous soul has he ; His ample board is rich and free — This Harvest Homo. " Spare not the feast, my guests," he cries : " Be merry, yet withal be wise ; " Your revels gay delight mine eyes — " This Harvest Home." * Accord in? to an old custom, the last sheaf was called the " maiden," which was gaily decorated, and then presented to the prettiest girl by her lover.