THE CHILD'S CALL
He calls with quick, insistent cry,
He calls at work or play,
And I must put my business by,
And all my books away.
He calls at work or play,
And I must put my business by,
And all my books away.
He summons me from household cares
Back to his sunny room,
And up the stairs and up the stairs
In happy haste I come.
Back to his sunny room,
And up the stairs and up the stairs
In happy haste I come.
Sweeter than lark and mavis dear,
And nightingales in May,
The little voice so shrill and clear
That I must yet obey.
And nightingales in May,
The little voice so shrill and clear
That I must yet obey.
While up the stairs and to the door
My heart runs on in glee,
I hear a voice I knew of yore
That never calls for me.
My heart runs on in glee,
I hear a voice I knew of yore
That never calls for me.
Ever through shadow-time and sun
I hear a baby call,
That is not you, my precious one,
That is not you at all.
I hear a baby call,
That is not you, my precious one,
That is not you at all.
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