“I’ll lend you for a little whileA child of mine,” God said“for you to love the while he lives, And mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven yearsOr forty two or three. But will you, till I call him back, Take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to gladden youAnd – (should his stay be brief) You’ll have his lovely memoriesAs a solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, Since all from earth returns; But there are lessons taught belowI want this child to learn. I’ve looked the whole world overIn my search for teachers trueAnd from the things that crowd life’s laneI have chosen you. “I fancied that I heard them say – “Dear Lord, Thy will be doneFor all the joys Thy Child will bringThe risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter him with tenderness, We’ll love him while we mayAnd for the happiness we’ve knownForever grateful stay. But should Thy angel call for him, Much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comesAnd try to understand.”
I cannot promise he will stay, Since all from earth returns; But there are lessons taught belowI want this child to learn. I’ve looked the whole world overIn my search for teachers trueAnd from the things that crowd life’s laneI have chosen you. “I fancied that I heard them say – “Dear Lord, Thy will be doneFor all the joys Thy Child will bringThe risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter him with tenderness, We’ll love him while we mayAnd for the happiness we’ve knownForever grateful stay. But should Thy angel call for him, Much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comesAnd try to understand.”
he will stay, Since all from earth returns;
But there are lessons
taught belowI want this child to learn.
I’ve looked
the whole world overIn my search for teachers true
And from the things that crowd life’s laneI have chosen you.
“I fancied that I heard them say – “Dear Lord, Thy will be doneFor all the joys Thy Child will bringThe risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter him with tenderness, We’ll love him while we mayAnd for the happiness we’ve knownForever grateful stay. But should Thy angel call for him, Much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comesAnd try to understand.”
“Dear Lord, Thy will be doneFor all the joys
Thy Child will bringThe risk of grief we’ll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness, We’ll love him
while we may
And for the happiness
we’ve known
Forever grateful stay.
But should Thy angel call for him, Much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comesAnd try to understand.”
But should
Thy angel call
for him, Much sooner
than we’ve planned,
We’ll brave
the bitter grief
that comes
And try
to understand.”