LIKE the shades of heavy darkness, Clouds are gathering o'er my soul, And a heavy weight of anguish, Over which I've no control, Bears my drooping spirit downward, Till I seem to hear the flow Of that turbid river, sounding From its unseen depths below;
Till I see its waters flashing Through the dim and shadowy vale, And its darksome billows dashing O'er a struggling victim pale; And I hear a voice familiar Breathe my name amid the roar Of the dark and fearful waters That is heard on earth no more.
Oh, I see him sinking, sinking Deeply, deeply 'neath the wave; And I strive, with heartstrings breaking, The departing form to save. But wildly and more madly Sweeps the hurtling current by, And plaintive and more sadly Cometh up that pleading cry.
All the day 'tis wildly ringing In my ear; and when I sleep, In my dreams I still behold him Sinking in the waters deep. And I cannot, though I struggle, Reach that dim and shadowy shore; And despair is all that's left me. He is gone for evermore!
Never more, in living beauty, Will his presence bless my sight; He has passed the gloomy waters; He hath entered into Light! But, ere long, when I have wrestled With those unseen shades below, I shall meet him in the heavens, Free from earth and all its woe.
