The sun has left the zenith,
It’s fading from the sky;
The evening draws its twilight,
The bats begin to fly.
The warmth of sun is in the stones
That lie along the way,
The memories of summer held
More bright than I can say.

I know they say I’m dying
And passing from the light
But oh, I’ve had my merry days
I do not fear the night.

But – lay me not in darkness
With a candle at my feet
Set me in the meadow
Where the clover’s breathing sweet-
Weep no more my darling,
And redden not your eyes
But lay me in the grassy sward
Beneath the lambent skies.

The breath will leave my body,
The chill is coming soon;
The cloaking dusk of quiet
Gives way to Lady Moon.
The sun forgets the roses
The dew is falling fast
To wash their blossoms in the night
Reviving them at last.

I know they’ll say I’ve left you here
And gone beyond your sight,
But oh, I’ve had my merry days
I do not fear the night.

But – lay me not in darkness
With a candle at my feet;
Set me by the flowing stream
And kiss me there, my sweet.
Never wish I hadn’t gone
Nor hunger for my smile
But fold my hands upon my breast
And sit with me a while.

The sun will drown the starlight
In the morning of your days
Yet night is close behind you;
It’s only out of phase.
Remember I will love you
Until the end of time
I’ll walk beside you in our dreams
Forever on your mind.

I know I’ll be forgotten
As I step beyond the light;
But oh, I’ve had my merry days
I do not fear the night.


But – lay me not in darkness
With a candle at my feet;
Give me one more noontide
Where grass and water meet.
And when my breath is fully gone
And when my spirit’s passed
Why then you’ll lay me in the earth
And I shall sleep at last.