An altar of high sacrifice
For hearts like mine,
And, as God's stars in far-off space,
Its tapers shine.
For hearts like mine,
And, as God's stars in far-off space,
Its tapers shine.
And on that altar there are laid—
Through tears that blind—
A million sacrificial hearts
Of mothers left behind.
Through tears that blind—
A million sacrificial hearts
Of mothers left behind.
And so it is I hold his hand
And lift up prayerful eyes
That God will save my boy from share
In that great sacrifice.
And lift up prayerful eyes
That God will save my boy from share
In that great sacrifice.
MAY-TIME
'TIS May-time here in our own fields,
The blue birds sing all day,
But—tis hiss of shot and snap of shell
For those we've sent away;
For the May-time is a battle time,
And far across the sea
Our men will keep their tryst with death
Or win for Liberty!
The blue birds sing all day,
But—tis hiss of shot and snap of shell
For those we've sent away;
For the May-time is a battle time,
And far across the sea
Our men will keep their tryst with death
Or win for Liberty!
'Tis May-time in the London lanes,
Where blossoms softly nod,
But—'tis fight-time on the Flanders front,
Where souls go home to God;
Where blossoms softly nod,
But—'tis fight-time on the Flanders front,
Where souls go home to God;
127
