The tone of thy voice is so clear but far,
A bridge is between us I cannot cross,
But God's will stands at each end of the bar.

"My lover; did you with your mist-cleared eyes,
See me when I thought you were far away,
Did you bring down Hope from your new-found skies,
While my heart was breaking over your clay?

"My lover; how long have the seasons been,
Since I tried to spell out the small word 'wait,'
And learnt to know that your love and life,
Grow ever more strong as the years grow late.

"My lover; in dreams of the night you come,
Out of God's goodness sent from afar,
He arches the barriers for the best,
And Christ's love stands at each end of the bar.

"Some day that arch will widen its breadth,
There'll be room for two, you'll not come in vain,
And over the darkness of weeping and death,
We'll be always together, and happy again."

Why did I read these lines, was it only to mock my woe?
For less would the burden be and the sin would be less I know,
If I knew that my darling was safe and blest where the angels are.
Why do I murmur? for God's will stands at each end of the mystic bar.
Well, why do I stay here gazing hopelessly into the fire?
Watching the coals that glow and burn, then fall away and expire,