LIFE'S KEY

The hand that fashioned me, tuned my ear

To chord with the major key,

In the darkest moments of life I hear

Strains of courage, and hope, and cheer

From choirs that I cannot see.

And the music of life seems so inspired

That it will not let me grow sad or tired.

Yet through and under the major strain,

I hear with the passing of years,

The mournful minor measure of pain,

Of souls that struggle and toil in vain

For a goal that never nears.

And the sorrowful cadence of good gone wrong,

Breaks more and more into earth's glad song.

And oft in the dark of the night I wake

And think of sorrowing lives,

And I long to comfort the hearts that ache,

To sweeten the cup that is bitter to take,

And to strengthen each soul that strives.

I long to cry to them‘ Do not fear,

Help is coming and aid is near.’

However desolate, weird, or strange

Life's melody sounds to you,

Before to-morrow the air may change,

And the Great Director of music arrange

A programme perfectly new.

And the dirge in minor may suddenly be

Turned into a jubilant song of glee.