Woman
Woman
Original Text
Alexander McLachlan, Poems and Songs (Toronto: Hunter, Rose, 1874): 32-33. Internet Archive.
1When my gloomy hour comes on me,
2 And I shun the face of man,
3Finding bitterness in all things,
4 As vex'd spirits only can:
5When of all the world I'm weary,
6 Then some gentle woman's face,
7Coming like a blessed vision,
8 Reconciles me to our race.
9All the children of affliction,
10 All the weary and oppress'd,
11Flee to thee, beloved woman,
12 Finding shelter in thy breast.
13While we follow mad ambition,
14 Thine is far the nobler part;
15Nursing flowers of sweet affection
16 In the valleys of the heart.
17Man can look and laugh at danger,
18 Mighty with the sword is he;
19But he cannot love, and suffer,
20 Pity, and forgive, like thee.
21Blessed ministers of mercy!
22 Hov'ring round the dying bed,
23Come to cheer the broken-hearted,
24 To support the drooping head.
25Oh, my blessings be upon you,
26 For, beneath yon weary sky,
27Ye are ever bringing comfort
28 Unto sinners such as I.
29When the saints have but upbraidings
30 For the guilty, erring man,
31Ye speak words of hope and mercy,
32 As dear woman only can.
33When my weary journey's ending;
34 When my troubl'd spirit flies,
35May a woman smooth my pillow,
36 May a woman close my eyes.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2011
Rhyme
Form