I will follow You through the woods into the daylight,
From the thorn'd briers to the everlasting brooks
Whence refreshment revives the soul in fluid nourishment!
Here, the world weary traveler with aching soles
Says to the sparrow: "Alack! All is not well! All is never well."
But ev'rywhere, I am witness to the resilience
The human spirit exhibits, that
Bruised, hard-pressed against the grain though we be,
Hearts are intrepid--we fight boldly on!
Darkness will yield, for the dying earth will meet illumination
Redemption is as the sun: bright-shining and
Stubborn against the dim
Salvation prevails! To life be the victory!--and
With hand over heart
We carry our swords; the pledge to bravery
Not lost over battle cries and the hides of wolves
Though the blood sinks deep beneath the wound
And eyes lose their zeal, O! what a brave thing I hear!--A song
That rises through the night--ocean roars beneath the twilight
It drops down with the surge, and
Rises as it swells, growing louder and stronger
The wind may break; the waves seize our wooden boat hearts
Tossing faces, turning pride--
The feelings driven with the monstrous tide
But lo! Lift up anchor, ring the bell! For we
Sail softly into daybreak,
The skies shining faintly on,
And His will doth the raging sea faithfully yield:
"Be at peace and be still!"
