American Old Time Song Lyrics: 16 The Light House Keeper
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 16
THE LIGHT-HOUSE KEEPER
Copyright, 1881, by W. H. Rieger.
The light-house keeper was old and weak,
And the night was dark and drear,
The Winter breezes were chill and bleak,
And a fearful storm was near;
The lights were out and no help at hand.
And the poor old man could see
The sails so white as they neared the land
From over the foaming sea;
The sails so white as they neared the land
From over the foaming sea.
The light-house keeper shed bitter tears
As the false light shone afar,
The lightning flashes awoke his fears
For the ship and gallant tar;
The old man turned from the cruel sight,
And his heart was sad and sore.
As the ship did steer for the wrecker's right
Upon the rock-bound shore;
As the ship did steer for the wrecker's light
Upon the rock-bound shore.
There were hidden rocks off the wrecker's cave.
And the wrecker's mates were there.
Who looked with joy on each storm lashed wave.
And the ships they hoped to snare;
The winds grew fierce and their false light shone
Far over the angry sea,
And weired shades crept o'er their eyrie lone,
While they drank and danced in glee;
And weired shades crept o'er their eyrie lone,
While they drank and danced in glee.
But with footsteps light comes a maiden bright,
'Tis the keeper's only child.
She springs aloft to the beacon light
And beholds the sea so wild;
With eye of fire and a firm strong hand
She runs up the lanterns three;
She's safe, she cries, and from off the land
The ship is steered toward sea:
She's safe, she cries, and from off the land
The ship is steered toward sea.