MY OLD SWEETHEART

My old sweetheart is away to-day;

I feel as I did of old,

In my courting days, when far away

I yearned for her more than gold.

I thought of her handsome, smiling face,

Her noble and cultured brow,

Of her gentle ways, and charming grace;

I missed her less then than now.

Through the long years of our wedded life,

Now nearly a full two score,

She has proved herself a loving wife,

And a sweetheart evermore.

Our love has grown with the flight of time,

As the mountain stream may grow;

Or as a tree in a genial clime

When free from the frost and snow.

The tempest may madly rage without,

We have lasting peace within;

And confidence ne'er gives place to doubt,

Nor concord to noisy din.

She will soon return again to me,

From her visit in the West,

And the dear face that I long to see

Will be nestling on my breast.

And I will feel as in olden time,

With a love not dreamed of then;

No happier man in any clime

Is known to the sons of men.

And when we part at the silent tomb,

‘ Twill be but a passing day

Before we meet where there is no gloom,

And sweethearts forever stay.

Full forty-six years of wedded life,

Enjoyed with my sweetheart here;

They were happy years, devoid of strife,

And full of Christian cheer;

Then her Master called her spirit home,

And I am left to walk alone.

Ere long my journey, too, will end,

And my spirit to God arise;

Perhaps he may my sweetheart send

To escort me to the skies;

And there with our Saviour we shall be,

Yet sweethearts still through eternity.