THE ROAD BEYOND THETOWN

    A ROAD goes up a pleasant hill, And a little house looks down： Ah！ but I see the roadway still And the day I left the town.

    The day I left my father's home, It's many a year ago, And a heart and hope were brave to roam the long, long road I know.

    The long, long road by hill and plain, It's tired the heart might be：

    But hope stayed bright in sun or rain, And a Voice that called to me.

    A Voice that called me over the hill And out of the little town： Ah！ but I see the roadway still. And the good house looking down.

    The house that spake me never a No！ As I started brave away, But said with a blessing, Go！ And followed me every day.

    It followed me down the road of years, For a father's heart is true, And joy is sweet in a mother's tears For the deeds her child may do.

    The poor little deeds, all powerless For the Kingdom of God would be,

    Save in His mercy will He bless The road that goes with me：

    The road that left a pleasant hill, Where a little house looks down： Ah！ but I bless the roadway still, And the land beyond the town.