You Go – and Lo!

To all the world, you go –
And lo!
I’m with you there

With you in the ship that skips
Upon the frenzied, foaming wave;

With you there upon the shore
’Mid foreign clang and clatter;

With you in your laughter and your joy,

With you when with lavish hand your needs are met;

With you when the funds are low, when friends forget,
And turn their gaze to other stars more bright;

With you when heathen scoff, oppose,
When they cheat and beat
You out of things you surely need;

With you when from foes you flee
And leave behind
The few things you possess;

With you when in sickness and pain,

With you in days of strain
When your dearest’s fever mounts…

With you when there naught remains
But withered flowers on an earthly mound –
O Lonely mound on foreign ground;

With you through the years,
The long, long years…

With you when you’re old and must retire –
Retire from work, oftimes, as well,
From friends and funds.

When others have forgot
You went
As sent.

I’m with you there, until the end!