It was a very little Boy That on the river side Stood calling, "Ferryman, ahoy! Come, take me o'er the tide!" The Ferryman came wading on, And seeing but a child, "Get up upon my shoulder, Son," He said, and, stooping, smiled. But when into the stream again The giant boldly strode, His every muscle was astrain Beneath the growing load; Till finally, with failing strength, He reached the other bank, And putting down the Boy at length Upon the margin sank. "Who art thou," wondering, he cried, "That hast so burdened me?" "The Son of God," the Boy replied, "Who bore the Cross for thee. "Henceforth thy task pursuing here For love of souls forlorn Thou'lt bear the name of Christopher, As thou the Christ hast borne; "And little sufferers that see How great is thy reward Shall cry, 'Like Christopher are we Thy Ferrymen, O Lord.'" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CORPORATE ENTITY by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH THOSE WHO LOVE by SARA TEASDALE THE DOOMED MAN by JOSEPH ADDISON ALEXANDER AIR AN' LIGHT by WILLIAM BARNES ROSETTE by HEINRICH CHRISTIAN BOIE |