“God Bless You, Dear”

Dear patient face and placid brow, Dear lips that smiled despite of pain, Brave toil-worn hands, so helpful now, Sweet spirit free from earthly stain.

Within the doorway Mother stands, The while a merry barefoot lad, Across the springtime meadow-lands Goes whistling schoolward, blithe and glad;

And where the pathway breasts the hill, I stay my steps and turn to hear Her loving voice, as lingering still, She calls, “Good-bye! God bless you, dear.”

Dear patient face and furrowed brow, Dear lips that smile thro’ all life's pain, Brave toil-worn hands, so weary now, Sweet soul unmarred by earthly stain.

Within the doorway Mother stands, The while a man oppressed with care, Across the waning Autumn lands, Goes toil-ward, fain to strive and bear;

And where the pathway breasts the hill, I stay my steps and turn to hear Her trembling voice, as ling'ring still, She calls, “Good-bye! God bless you, dear.”

Dear peaceful face and placid brow, Dear lips that smile secure from pain, Brave toil-worn hands, soft-folded now, Sweet spirit freed from earthly stain.

Within God's portal Mother stands, The while a man forspent with care Seeketh the far-off meadow-lands, By faith made strong to strive and bear.

And as I breast life's weary hill, I ofttimes pause — meseems I hear The well-loved accents breathing still The old fond prayer, “God bless you, dear.”