I often think of home, dee-ol-ee-ay,
when I am all alone and far away,
I sing an old refrain, dee-ol-ee-ay,
for it recalls to me a bygone day.
It takes me back again to meadows fair,
where sunlight's golden rays beam everywhere,
my childhood joys again come back to me,
my mother's face in fancy, too, I see.
It was my mother taught me how to sing,
and to that memory my heart will cling,
I'm never sad alone when on my way,
as long as I can sing, dee-ol-ee-ay.
Though years have passed and gone, dee-ol-ee-ay,
although my heart is young, my head is grey,
yet still the echoes ring, dee-ol-ee-ay,
and dear old memories forever stay.
My song can bring me visions full of light
And sweetest dreams throughout the darkest night
Of all that life can give, of summer's best
I'll take it with me when I go to rest
And when at last my journey here is o'er
'Twill ring more joyfully than e'er before
When up to heaven I will make my way
The angels, too, will sing dee-ol-ee-ay