Frozen Charlotte

Charlotte lived on the mountainside, in a wild and lonely spot

No dwelling house for miles around, except her father's cot

And yet on many a winter's night young folk would gather there

For her parents kept a social house, and she was young and fair

On New Year's Eve, when the Sun was down, far looked her wishful eye

Out from the frosty window pane to see the sleighs pass by

In a village fifteen miles away, was a merry ball that night

And though the air was crisp and cold, her heart was warm and light

Brightly shone her laughing eye, as her lover's voice was heard

And dashing to the cottage door, young charlie's sleigh appeared

O, daughter dear, her mother cried, this blanket 'round you fold

For it's a dreadful night to ride, and you'll catch your death of cold

Oh, mother no! Young Charlotte cried, she laughed like a gypsy queen

To ride in blankets, muffled up, I never would be seen

My silken cloak is quite enough, you know 'tis lined throughout

Besides, I have my silken scarf to wrap my neck about

Her bonnet and her gloves were on, she stepped into the sleigh

Rode swiftly down the mountainside and o'er the hills away

He cracked his whip, he urged his horse much faster than before

And they passed fifteen dreadful miles, frozen to the core

Said Charles: How fast the shivering ice, it gathers on my brow

And Charlotte still more faintly said: I'm growing warmer now

So on they rode through frosty air, through bright and blue starlight

Until at last the village lamps and ballroom came in sight

They reached the door and Charles sprang out, he offered her his hand

She sat there like a monument that has no power to stand

He called her once, he called her twice, she answered not a word

He asked her for her hand again, and still she never stirred

He took her hand in his, o, God! 'Twas cold and hard as stone

He tore the mantle from her face, and the stars upon her shone

Then quickly to the glowing hall, her lifeless form he bore

Fair Charlotte's eyes had seen her last, her voice was heard no more