In the winter's ice and snow,
What's plunged in my dashing waters,
No mortal shall ever know"

So ever with nervous fingers,
He harnesses up his sleigh;
So ever with stealthy movements,
He travels the icy way.

And stops where the yawning chasm,
Shows the yawning wave beneath,
And she knows with sudden horror,
That she has been brought to her death

Her weak hands cling to his bosom,
His ears are thrilled with her cry;
When the last struggling strength went forth
In that shriek of agony.

So his most unwilling spirit,
Still travels memory's track,
Despair staring blindly forward,
Remorse ever dragging back.

Again he walks by the waters,
While innocent mortals sleep,
Asking the pitiless river,
The horrible deed to keep.

Spring comes and the ice is breaking,