I DREAM of all things free!
Of a gallant, gallant bark,
That sweeps through storm and sea
Like an arrow to its mark!
Of a stag that o’er the hills
Goes bounding in his glee;
Of a thousand flashing rills—
Of all things glad and free.
I dream of some proud bird,
A bright-eyed mountain king!
In my visions I have heard
The rushing of his wing.
I follow some wild river,
On whose breast no sail may be;
Dark woods around it shiver —
— I dream of all things free!
Of a happy forest child,
With the fawns and flowers at play;
Of an Indian midst the wild,
With the stars to guide his way:
Of a chief his warriors leading,
Of an archer’s greenwood tree:-
— My heart in chains is bleeding,
And I dream of all things free.