Lonesome

 

Dear Master, I am lonesome;

Dear Master, speak to me!

I've been longing here at twilight

For the voices o'er the sea,

And it seems as if my heartache

Would be hushed, less piercing be,

If Thou, Lord, wouldst come still closer -

I am lonesome; speak to me!

I've been thinking in the stillness,

As I've watched the sunset glow

Die out yonder on the hilltop,

Leaving naught but cold and woe -

I've been thinking of the faces

That have come a-trooping by,

Old-time faces, long-time vanished,

Leaving me to wait and sigh.

And I'm lonesome, Lord, I'm lonesome;

Come Thou closer; speak to me,

For I am listening here at twilight

To the voices o'er the sea,

And it seems as if my heartache

Would be hushed, less piercing be,

If Thou, Lord, wouldst come still closer -

I am lonesome; speak to me!

 

~ Ralph Spaulding Cushman