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