BETA

Longing.

The green road, the clean road : it is so broad and
high ;1
It stretches from the happy sea to touch the happy sky.2
Oh !  I laughed once to forsake it, but I’m longing now
to take it—3
The green road, the clean road, that is so broad and
high.4
The gray street, the gay street : how solemnly it
shines !5
The sun imprints his pleasures, but there’s pain
between the lines.6
Oh, I smiled at first to see it, but I’m eager now to
flee it—7
The gray street, the gay street : how solemnly it shines !8
The pure love, the sure love comes over me like rain ;9
The tinsel of my heartless love is turning poor and
plain.10
It’s my life I have been giving just to make a decent
living,11
It’s my all I have been losing just to get a little
gain.12
The nest song, the best song is crying swift and sweet :13
The tune’s within my bosom, but the time’s not in
my feet.14
Ah !  they only sing for pity, do the voices in the city.15
Did you ever hear a homely song sound happy in the
street ?16
The gray street, the gay street : for me it holds no
rest,17
Not even when the summer sun is sailing down the
west ;18
And I cannot find my pleasure in a road my sight can
measure19
From the little room I dwell in with a memory for
my guest.20
The green road, the clean road : it is so broad and
high,21
It stretches from the happy sea to touch the happy sky.22
Oh, to rise and part with sadness ! oh, to move and
meet with gladness,23
On the green road, the clean road, that is so broad
and high !24
J. J. Bell.