Gunny Markefka - Longfellow's Bridge Lyrics

I stood on the bridge at midnight
As the clocks were striking the hour
And the moon rose o'ver the city
Behind the dark church-tower

I saw her bright reflection
In the waters under me
Like a golden goblet falling
And sinking into the sea

And far in the hazy distance
Of that lovely night in June
The blaze of the flaming furnace
Gleamed redder than the moon

And like those waters rushing
Among the wooden piers
A flood of thoughts came o'er me
That filled my eyes with tears

How often, oh, how often
In the days that had gone by
I had stood on that bridge at midnight
And gazed on that wave and sky

How often, oh, how often
I had wished that the ebbing tide
Would bear me away in its bosom
O'er the ocean wild and wide

For my heart was hot and restless
And my life was full of care
And the burden laid upon me
Seemed greater than I could bear

But now it has fallen from me
It is buried in the sea
And only the sorrow of others
Throws its shadow over me

When I think of many thousands
Of care-encumbered men
Each bearing the burden of sorrow
Have crossed the bridge since then

I see the long procession
Still passing to and fro
The young heart hot and restless
The old subdued and slow

How often, oh, how often
In the days that had gone by
I had stood on that bridge at midnight
And gazed on that wave and sky

How often, oh, how often
I had wished that the ebbing tide
Would bear me away in its bosom
O'er the ocean wild and wide

And forever and forever
As long as the river flows
As long as the heart has passions
As long as life has woes

The moon and its broken reflection
And its shadows shall appear
As the symbol of love in heaven
And its wavering image here