To cradle Mary's Child his heart
An old man opens wide:
Behold him in God's peace depart,
And in God's peace abide.
He sings the very Song of Peace,
Responsive to the Word;
His lullaby shall never cease
To make its music heard.
For all the children of the Bride,
The subjects of the King,
With each returning eventide
Have learnt his song to sing.
He sings of‘ peace,’‘ salvation,’‘ light:’
His lovely words we take
For consolation night by night,
Until God's morning break.
Then, when our dazzled eyes grow dim,
Breathed with our parting breath
The old man's sweet, heart-soothing hymn
Glad welcome gives to death.
We too what Simeon saw may see —
The Mother undefiled,
Our hearts enfold as blissfully
The Everlasting Child!