The Guardian Angel's Lament

Thou hast sorrowed the spirit that loved thee, And watched o'er thy footsteps for years: Thou hast made me at last sigh o'er thee, In secret, in silence, and tears.

For my Father in Heaven I loved thee, For His sake have I guarded thy ways. Return, O return, I implore thee, Him to love, to serve, and to praise.

O'er thy pathway through life still I hover. Thee to comfort, to solace, to cheer; With the love of a fond, saving brother, Through this desert of trial and fear.

Oh! When shall I clasp thee, how fondly And bear thee, all dangers no past, To the arms of God Who dies for thee To our home in the heavens at last!