I Passed Them By

 

I passed them by on our journey

As they were pressing hard on the road

Childhood, youth and the aged

Each bearing his burden or load.

 

Some of them gay and laughing

Some of them bitter and cold

The sorrowful joyous and fainting

Alike the young and the old.

 

The calm serene brow of the righteous

The haughty and proud look of the scornful

The passionate glance of the lover

The tear wet eyes of the mournful.

 

The sufferer and patient and waiting

The mother her wayward child mourns

Alike the young and the aged.

Are wearing their crown of thorns.

 

Some are faint hearted and weary

Others lighthearted and glad

The strong with a smile and a ready hand

Are helping the weak and the sad.

 

The Father to each of his children

Has dealt a portion of tears

He who respecteth no person

Spares neither our youth nor our years.

 

All these things I saw on my journey

Along the highway of life

But I passed them by and at last I came

To the end of all battle and strife.

 

I passed them by with heartache

And I grieved that my journey was done

(Last part missing)

 

Written by Ida May Schaffer