There at the door he stands with hope,
A lad of fourteen, tall and broad;
He knows not to what end he goes,
To take the ship that sails abroad—
That sails to places without hope.
Yet when he sees the pain that shows
On tender Mother’s brow so still,
He kisses her and softly says
“Dear Mother, I’ll come back, I will!”

For many years, I’ve stood alone;
I’ve watched the world grow old and gray;
I’ve seen the lands around me fail;
I’ve viewed events both wild and fey.

But I’ve observed some joyful times,
Where life is full of lilies white;
Where waterfalls and rivers sing;
Which make for such a pretty sight.

Yet through the years there was one scene:
A home that welcomed all who came
A life where peace and patience thrived
A love that none on earth could maim.