Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 9/"The e'en brings a' hame"
“THE E’EN BRINGS A’ HAME.”[1]
I.
I’m dreaming alone on an islet
In the deep and murm’ring sea,
And the song of its rippling waters
Is melody sweet to me.
II.
It rose in rough waves this morning,
That foamed upon its breast,
But a hush has fallen upon it.
Evening has brought it rest.
III.
With white sails furled, the fishermen
Back to the shore have come,
They are resting now at their cabin doors,
Evening has brought them home.
IV.
The sea-bird’s wings are tired at last
Of their flight across the foam,
They are folded now in her rocky nest,
Evening has brought her home.
V.
I’m dreaming of my long journey
Across this stormy world,
And the hour when my boat will anchor,
And its tattered sails be furled.
VI.
Many a friend has gone from me,
Very far away are some,
But this whisper dries the tear-drops,
Evening will bring them home.
VII.
Some may have perhaps forgotten me,
On the battle field of life,
But a bond unites our severed hearts,
We are partners in the strife.
VIII.
And some—their hearts were blighted
In the early dawn of day,
Their sky is dark with stormy clouds,
Life is very cold and grey.
IX.
Others are very faint and worn
In the heat of noonday sun,
They raise their burning hands and cry,
O! when will day be done?
X.
Ye may cease your weary moaning,
There are angels at your side,
Who will lead you through this furnace
To the calm, cool eventide.
XI.
Perhaps they had once in sorrow
Across this earth to roam,
But that passed away for ever,
When evening brought them home.
XII.
The crimson cloudlets are glowing
Above the water’s breast,
Over the ripples there is a line
Of gold that leads to rest.
XIII.
The west gets redder and redder,
The shadows are very long,
The time for slumber is coming,
And the hour for evensong.
XIV.
Lovely and fair is the morning,
Bright is God’s glorious sun,
But weary spirits rest at eve,
When the long, long day is done.
- ↑ Scotch Proverb.