To A Hurdy-Gurdy

Playing on Sixth Avenue Here's to you, brave Hurdy-gurdy, Grinding out your happy tune While the traffic round you rumbles, In the city's Summer noon. No one hears you! Yet the rapture That you feel, despite our faults, As you gaily give the measure Of the latest merry waltz! Trams are rolling all about you-- How the Elevated roars! And above their noise and tumult Your thin twanging vainly soars. Good for you, poor Hurdy-gurdy! Play, unheard, your little part; Would that I could sing as you do, With but half as brave a heart!