Young Charlotte lived on a mountain side In a wild and lonely spot
There were no dwellings for three miles wide except her fathers cottage
and yet on many a winters eve young swans were gathered there
for her father kept a social board
and she was very fair
One New Years eve as the sun went down far looked her wistful eye
out from the frosty window pane as the merry sleigh's dashed by
at the village fifteen miles away was to be a ball that night
and though the air was piercing cold
her heart was warm and light
How brightly beamed her laughing eyes as a well know voile was heard
and dashing up to the cottage door her lovers sleigh appeared
Oh daughter dear her mother cried this blanket around you fold
For tis a dreadful night abroad
you'll get your death of cold
Oh "Nay" Oh "Nay" the daughter cried as 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 its lined throughout
and there's my silken scarf to wind my head and neck about
her bonnet and her gloves were on she jumped into the sleigh
and swift they sped down the mountain side
and over the hills away
With muffled beat so silently five miles at last were passed
when Charles with few and shivering word the silence broke
at last such a dreadful night I never saw my reins I scarce can hold and Charlotte faintly
then replied I am exceedingly cold
He cracked his whip he urged his steed much faster than before
and thus five other dreary miles in silence were passed over
spoke Charles how fast the freezing is gathering on my brow
and Charlotte faintly
then replied I am growing warmer now
Thus on they rode through the frosty air and the glittering cold starlight
until at last the village lamps and the ball room came in sight
they reached the door and Charles sprang out and held his hand to her
why sit you there like a monument that has no power to stir
he called her twice she answered not a word he asked her for her hand again
but still she never stirred he took her hand in his twas cold and hard as a stone
he tore the mantle from her brow
and the cold stars oer it shone
Then quickly to the lighted hall her lifeless form he bore
young Charlottes eyes had closed forever and her voice was heard no more
and there he sat down by her side while bitter tears did flow
he cried my one my charming bride you never more shall know
he twined his arms around her neck he kissed her marble brow
and his thoughts flew back to where she said
I am growing warmer now