Here's the text, posted by dmcg at folkinfo.org. It's from Singing Together, Autumn 1966

Hope, the Hermit

Once in a blithe greenwood
Lived a hermit wise and good
Whom the folks from far and near
For his counsel sought,
Knowing well that what he taught
The dreariest of hearts would cheer.
Though his hair was white
His eye was clear and bright,
And he thus was ever wont to say:
Though to care we are born,
Yet the dullest morn
Often heralds in the fairest day!"

"The very longest lane,
Has a turning, it is plain,
E'en the blackest of clouds will fly:
And what can't be cured
Must with patience be endured:
As cheaply can we laugh as cry."
And people gazed,
At words so deep amazed,
While the Sage went on to say:
"Though to care (etc)

Pray, is the hermit dead?
From the forest has he fled?
No, he lives to counsel all
Who an ear will lend
To their wisest, truest friend,
And Hope the Hermit's name they call.
Still he sits, I ween,
'Mid branches ever green,
And cheerly you may hear him say:
"Though to care (etc)

---

A post from Malcolm Douglas gave the following information:
Words by John Oxenford (1812-1877), set to the old dance tune Lady Francis Nevill's Delight (Playford, Dancing Master, 1657 and 1665). "It is one of the very few of Oxenford's set of verses," wrote Sabine Baring-Gould (English Minstrelsie, II, v), "that rises above mediocrity."


The tune was posted by Masato Sakurai

Tune from J. Oxenford & G.A. MacFarren, Old English Ditties, Selected from W. Chappell's Popular Music of the Olden Time, vol. 1 (London: Chappell & Co., [1884?], pp. 48-49; Tune: "Lady Frances Nevill's Delight", Words by J. Oxenford; with piano accompaniment):

X:1
T:Hope, The Hermit
M:C
L:1/8
Q:1/4=132
S:J. Oxenford & G.A. MacFarren, Old English Ditties, vol.1
K:Bb
F G A|B2 B2 B2 A B|c B A G F2 G A|B2 D2 E2 F2|B,6 B c|
d2 d2 d2 c d|e d c B c2 F2|G A B c d2 c2|B6 A B|c2 c2 c2 d2|
c B A B c2 A B|cd cB A2G2|F6 G A|B2 A B D2 E F|G2 G2 C2 D E|
F G F E D2 C2|B,6 G A|B2 A B D2 E F|G2 G2 C2 D E|F G F E D2 C2|B,6||