Little Ella, fairest, dearest
Unto me and unto mine
Earthly cherub coming nearest
To my dreams of forms divine:

Her brief absence frets and pains me
Her bright presence solace brings
Her spontaneous love restrains me
From a thousand selfish things

Little Ella moveth lightly
Like a graceful fawn at play
Like a brooklet running brightly
In the genial smile of May

Like a breeze upon the meadows
All besprеnt with early flowers
Like a bird mid sylvan shadows
In thе golden summer hours

Little Ella brings a blessing
With her bright and winning smile
With her frank and fond caressing
And her prattle free from guile

When I hear her footsteps bounding
In the hall or through the grove
And her voice with joy resounding
Tis the music that I love