Faith and Hope

Rembrandt Peale (1778–1860)

O, DON’T be sorrowful, darling!

Now, don’t be sorrowful, pray;

For, taking the year together, my dear,

There isn’t more night than day.

It ’s rainy weather, my loved one;

Time’s wheels they heavily run;

But taking the year together, my dear,

There isn’t more cloud than sun.

We ’re old folks now, companion,—

Our heads they are growing gray;

But taking the year all round, my dear,

You always will find the May.

We ’ve had our May, my darling,

And our roses, long ago;

And the time of the year is come, my dear,

For the long dark nights, and the snow.

But God is God, my faithful,

Of night as well as of day;

And we feel and know that we can go

Wherever he leads the way.

Ay, God of night, my darling!

Of the night of death so grim;

And the gate that from life leads out, good wife,

Is the gate that leads to Him.