| Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | | | The Benediction | | By Harry Weiss |
| | | THERE’S a memory that sweetens | |
| My father’s last adieu, | |
| There’s a solemn thought that deepens | |
| When I think of him anew. | |
| ’Tis the blessing that he uttered | 5 |
| When I took his last farewell, | |
| The priestly threefold blessing | |
| Our people know so well. | |
| |
| Ah, bless thee, Lord, and keep thee, | |
| His countenance e’er shine, | 10 |
| And gracious be He to thee, | |
| And give thee peace and thine. | |
| His hands were spread in blessing | |
| Above my bowing head, | |
| His blessing lives within me, | 15 |
| His spirit is not fled. | |
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| The dear old Jewish custom | |
| Made many a stout heart; | |
| I always felt the better | |
| When thus I used to part. | 20 |
| And though he is gone forever, | |
| To sleep beneath the sod, | |
| I still can hear him lifting | |
| The self-same prayer to God. | |
| |
| Ah, bless thee, Lord, and keep thee, | 25 |
| His countenance e’er shine, | |
| And gracious be He to thee, | |
| And give thee peace and thine. | |
| His countenance be lifted, | |
| And may He grant thee peace, | 30 |
| The goal of earthly living, | |
| And Heaven’s own surcease. | | | | |
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