Long years ago I plucked a bunch of heather;
For you, aroon, I plucked it, dewy wet,
Upon a hill which we oft climbed together –
Upon the hill where first in youth we met.

Now we are old, and faded is love’s token;
But in our hearts that love is blooming still –
‘Tis like our trysting tree, by storms unbroken,
That deeper, firmer roots into the hill.

We’ve climbed the hill of life together bravely;
And now, while drawing closer to the crown,
We often pause, and turn, surveying gravely
The slopes behind, and youth’s plateau far down.

A hard flight was ours, but love gave strength to fight it;
Though rough the road you never did complain;
With some hopes realised, and many blighted,
We’ve had our share of sunshine and of rain.

Together we have climbed life’s hill – together
May we step forth upon the long, long road
That stretches upwards from the hill of heather,
To where awaits our heavenly abode.