I'll lend for a little while
A child of mine, God said
For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
or forty-two or three;
But will you till I call him back
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And-(should his stay be brief)-
You'll have his lovely memories
As a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from earth return;
But there are lessons thought below
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
In my search for teachers true;
And from the things that crowd life's lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take
This lent child back again?
I fancied that I herd tham say
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done"
For all the joys thy child will bring
The risk of grief we'll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should thy angels call for him
Much sooner then we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.