The Trolley Past The Door

There is music in the planets, there is music in the spheres,

     There is music in the ocean’s sullen roar;

But the music most inspiring, most desiring and untiring,

     Is the music of the trolley past the door.

O, the jumping, bumping trolley, as it bounds along so jolly

                   By the door.

I love the heavy organ as it peals forth from the church,

     I love the hurdy gurdy’s brilliant score;

But the music that is cheering, most revering and endearing,

     Is the humming of the trolley by the door.

O, the winding, grinding trolley, as it swings along so jolly,

                   By the door.

May they never stop the trolley, may its music never cease,

     For I love its magic humming more and more;

Through the night, while I am sleeping, comes it creeping, comes it sweeping,

     On its warm and friendly journey past the door.

O, the sliding, gliding trolley, as it slips along so jolly,

                   By the door.

June 19, ‘98

Pub. in N.Y. World,

July 31, 1898