The Edelweiss Gatherer

Ay, autumn love I best, for then
I gather Edelweiss;
High up along the Watzmann's sides,
And up above the ice.

In Berchtesgaden, too, by all
The flower is held so dear;
And if I bring my Edelweiss
To some great cavalier.

Or to the ladies of the court,
Each one the flower will wear;
Eor Edelweiss becomes them well,
And they are all so fair.

The gentlemen will sometimes ask
Where grew my snow-white store;
But when I to the Watzmann point,
They don't ask any more.

And that's just why I love the flower;
'Tis not won in a trice;
It courage needs, and hence't is called.
Not wrongly, Edelweiss.

And as, mid dangers climbing on,
I trust my God is near.
Gladly I pluck a posy, too.
For our sweet Ladye dear.

O, if the Watzmann do but send
No avalanche below,
Where stands my little garden, where
The hunter's flower doth grow!

O Ladye dear! should snows perchance
Roll down with wild alarm,
Remember me, and prithee guard
My Edelweiss from harm!