The night-wind breathes with a mysterious wail
And from my Father's house the lights do shine
Far darting through the darkness, keen,
They blink & beckon like a call divine

There is a home-sick weariness within
A heart-struck longing deeper every day
Oh for that home-oh, for the songs they sing
Oh for the friends whom love hath called away

Departed are ye? -no ye are not far
Ye are gone from us but are present still
Present though distant, like that sad sweet star
Whose eye looks on us o'er yon gloomy hill.

Do we not feel you near? does not your breath
Come o'er our cheek in many a lonely hour
Does not your loving shadow gently fall,
O'er the sad heart like dew upon the flower?

Together have we talked of life & death
Together pondered of the dread unknown
Ye know it now — with your last parting breath
The glorious mystery became your own.

All things are yours — the woods & life & death
And ye are Christ's — & His also are we
We wail! we burn! fade fade thru waving veil!
Come! come! the glory & the victory!