"THE VOICE OF THE DEAD WAS A LIVING VOICE TO ME."

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 381, 3 July 1889, Page 5

"THE VOICE OF THE DEAD WAS A LIVING VOICE TO ME."

They sang the evening hymn, " Oh Lord, abide with me," Each took a separate part, And. thrilling through mr heart, That music, in the gloaming dim, W welled like the surging sea. I knew each voice so well— The tenor's 'clarion call, J. he bass so deep and low, The alto's wail of woe, The clear soprano, like a bell— I knew and loved them all. I thought of one we mourn, Whose fair young lite is o'er, Closing my eyes to see The face so dear to me— And, ah! how did my sad heart yearn T. o hear her voice onoo moic. Ifow often did we stand, My little maid and I, While that sweet evening hymn Rang through the clois-teis dun Or an old abbey, giey and graud, lv waves of harmony ! Now, through my tears, I see My loving quartette near ; One sister plays the air, One knee.s beside her chair, Two brothers stand behind- ah me! „ Another voice I hear. A voice so sweet and low, That s ept within my heait, Until that old refrain Awoke it once again, Recalling timt-s ot long aero Ere we were called to apart. High over all now rings That faint, sweet melody; Ocr the four voices blent, O'er the grand instrument. Surely in heaven my darling s"ings, " O Lord, abide with me !" From "'Highland Flora " and other Poems, by Mks David Hhndebson.