The great world voice is calling, and the streams have lost their glory,
For their restless waters journey to the ever-moving sea,
And I am ever yearning as they seem to breathe a story
Of the better things to be, the better things to be.

The breeze is saying, " Hasten, we will cross the seas together,
You and I together to a fairer world than this,
Say, does the mountain keep you and the purple waving heather,
Or the little girl you kiss, the little girl you kiss? "

No more the valley charms me, and no more the torrents glisten,
My love is plain and homely, and my thoughts are far away,
The great world voice is calling, and with throbbing heart I listen,
And I cannot but obey, I cannot but obey.