The Book of American Negro Poetry/The Teacher
THE TEACHER
Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
I teach them Knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them Power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
I teach them Love for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
Oh let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.