Poems (Smith)/Longing for Rest (Oh, had I the wings of a dove)

by Martha A. Smith

For works with similar titles, see Longing for Rest.

LONGING FOR REST.

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Oh, had I the wings of a dove,
 I would fly forever away,
Where neither sorrow nor love
 Could brighten or dim the way.

Could I burst this bondage and flee
 To yon heavenly home above;
'Tis so distressing to me
 Forever to live without love.

This life is too short to live
 In continual family jar;
Better let each of us strive
 To never let anything mar.

Our pleasures and griefs here below
 Too briefly and quickly have fled;
We should enjoy life as we go,
 For soon we shall lie with the dead.

When eternity opes to our view
 May our record be bright and clear;
Oh, then let us our lives renew,
 And go to our God without fear.

For a heavenly life above
 We are hoping forever to win.
If we strive with patience and love,
 Surely our Saviour will let us in.

Then let us in peace depart
 To a far more genial home.
In Heaven there'll be no heavy heart,
 No sorrows there to mourn.

To that beautiful world of love
 Oh, may we be wafted afar;
Away in the bright Heaven above
 May we find the door ajar.

Then when God shall call us away
 To a spiritual life of love,
Oh, may we there unite some day
 In beautiful Heaven above.

At last freed from all earthly strife,
 And in Heaven with the blest,
We'll not lament our present life,
 When with God forever at rest.