The Village Maiden

This interesting song starts out joyful but verse two begins to turn sorrowful and by verse three we are in mourning. Possibly Foster started out to write a happy song but his own experiences influenced the song as it progressed. Background music is in the key of C

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The vil-lage bells are ring-ing,

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And mer-ri-ly they chime;

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The vil-lage choir is sing-ing,

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For 'tis a hap-py time;

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The chap-el walls are lad-en

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With gar-lands rich and gay,

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To greet the vil-lage ma-id-en

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Up-on her wed-ding day.

verse 2
But summer joys have faded and summer hopes have flown;
Her brow with grief is shaded, her happy smiles are gone;
Yet why her heart is laden, not one, alas! can say.
Who saw the village maiden upon her wedding day.

verse 3
The village bells are ringing, But hark, how sad and slow,
The village choir is singing a requiem soft and low;
And all with sorrow laden their tearful tribute pay
Who saw the village maiden upon her wedding day.