The Two Choirs

They sang of His peace and eternal aid,

As they bore her to holy ground,

And the birds sat hush'd in the yew tree's shade,

When that anthem was wafted round.

And save for the clang of the mournful bell,

As it spoke with its iron tongue,

There was nought but the silence of tears that fell

For her who had died so young.

They bent o'er her simple grave and wept

With a last, heart-broken pang,

And knew in her sweet great peace she slept,

While the earthly choristers sang --

"She is gone from earth to her endless rest,

In the regions beyond the day,

To her Father's home, to His mighty breast,

Where her tears shall be wiped away!"

They leave her there and they creep aside,

And slowly the grave they close,

But the Gates of Glory are opened wide

To welcome a soul's repose!

A great light shines in those endless lands,

So far from our earthly fears,

The Eternal choir rejoicing stands

With eyes that can know no tears!

They lift her soul to the Father's breast

And this song through Paradise rang --

"Welcome, our sister, to God's own rest,"

The white-winged choristers sang!

"Thou art borne away thro' the Father's will,

And your lov'd ones will come some day,

When, free from earthly pain and ill,

All tears shall be wiped away.