Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ORPHAN'S COMPLAINT by ANNABEL HANNA BANES

First Line: WAY UP ALONG SALVATION'S RIVER
Last Line: AND I'LL BE SAFE AT HOME.
Subject(s): FOSTER, STEPHEN COLLINS (1826-1864); SALVATION;

'Way up along Salvation's River,
In heaven above,
There angel spirits rest forever,
There are the ones I love.

There the old folks wait to greet me,
Nevermore I'll roam.
O angels, wing your way to meet me,
Far from the old folks at home.

Life's lonely stream too long I've followed,
Brackish its flow;
All pleasure has in pain been swallowed,
Hope but fulfilled in woe.

Like father, there is not another
Can mercy show;
No one will love me like a mother,
No matter where I go.

O mother, take your child back to you;
Father, I come.
World-weary eyes shall, opening, view you,
And I'll be safe at home.



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