THE FALL OF THE LEAF
When the summer time has passed away,
And people prepare for the winter day,
When the farmer’s fields are dark and drear,
And darksome clouds are hovering near,
In every land upon the earth,
’Mid abundant wealth and gladsome mirth,
Many a soul doth come to grief,
And passes away like the fall of the leaf.
When the stately ship upon the wave,
With a daring crew, bold and brave,
Is helplessly driven, to and fro,
’Mid storms of wind and blinding snow,
When the thunders roar and the lightnings flash,
And upon the rocks there’s a terrible crash,
Many a soul doth come to grief,
And passes away like the fall of the leaf.
When the steam horse gallops along the rails,
’Mid heath-clad knowes, hills and dales,
When its cargo is a human freight,
And it speedeth along in the silent night,
When at full speed it’s swiftly driven,
And by some mistake the wrong signal’s given,
Many a soul doth come to grief,
And passes away like the fall of the leaf.
When nations growl at one another,
And badly use a weaker brother,
When they plan and scheme with subtle brain
Another bit of land to gain,
When the soldiers’ bugles sounding loud,
And the seamstress wearily sews the shroud,
Many a soul doth come to grief,
And passes away like the fall of the leaf.
