God gave my son in trust to me,

Christ died for him and he should be

A man for Christ, He is his own,

And God’s and man’s - not mine alone

He was not mine to give, he gave

Himself that he might help to save,

All that Christians should revere -

All that enlightened men hold dear.

“What if he does not come” you say,

Ah Well! My sky would be more gray,

But through the clouds the sun would shine

And vital memories be mine,

God’s test of manhood is I know,

Not “Will he come, but Did he go?”