I see around me tombstones grey

I see around me tombstones grey

Stretching their shadow far away

Beneath the turf my footsteps tread

Lie lone and lone the silent dead

Beneath the turf beneath the mould

Forever dark forever cold

And my eyes cannot hold the tears

That memory hoards from vanished years

For time and death and mortal pain

Give wounds that will not heal again

Let me remember half the woe

I've seen and heard and felt below

And heaven itself so pure and blest

Could never give my spirit rest

Sweet land of light thy children fair

Know naught akin to our despair

Nor have they felt nor can they tell

What tenants haunt each mortal cell

What gloomy guests we hold within

Torments and madness tears and sin

Well may they live in ecstasy

Their long eternity of joy

At least we would not bring them down

With us to weep with us to groan

No - Earth would wish no other sphere

To taste her cup of sufferings drear

She turns from heaven a careless eye

And only mourns that we must die

Ah mother what shall comfort thee

In all this boundless misery?

To cheer our eager eyes a while

We see thee smile how fondly smile

But who reads through that tender glow

Thy deep, unutterable woe!

Indeed no dazzling land above

Can cheat thee of thy children's love

We all in life's departing shine

Our last dear longings blend with thine

And struggle still and strive to trace

With clouded gaze thy darling face

We would not leave our native home

For any world beyond the tomb

No rather on thy kindly breast

Let us be laid in lasting rest

Or waken but to share with thee

A mutual immortality