American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 The Wheel Of Fate

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

THE WHEEL OF FATE.
Copyright, 1890, by T. B. Harms & Co.
Written and Composed by Geo. W. Lederer.

The wheel of fate whirls round and round, and makes a mock of eager eyes;
And when a golden thread's unwound, with what delight we hail the prize;
But when the tangled knots come fast,
Or if at first, or if at last,
How quickly are we overcast.
As clouds make dark the summer skies.

Refrain.
No matter, let the vital skein
Twist and twist and twist again.
The deed is done, the word is said,
'Tis death alone that cuts the thread.

Oh! fast and free, oh, fast and free, awhile runs out the skein to me;
And in the thread no knots I see, and never comes a pain to me.
But, lo! ere I can turn my head.
There looms a tangle in the thread;
My golden days are spent and sped,
And life is mist and rain to me.-Refrain.

Oh! sad and slow, oh, sad and slow, the tangle thickens wearily;
And as I watch the spindle go, my heart keeps time, how drearily.
Nay, see! 'tis free, the silken skein
Is running fast and fair again;
The knots are loosed, forgot the pain,
The golden thread runs cheerily.

Refrain.
Ah! yes! ah! yes! a twistless skein
Runs from off the wheel again.
No more I would that I were dead.
There are no tangles, tangles in the thread.