Not for them the length’ning shadows + 

Falling coldly round our lives, + 

Nearer, nearer through the ages + 

Life’s new spring for them arrives. + 

Not for them the doubt and anguish + 

Of an old and loveless age, + 

Dropping sadly tears of sorrow + 

On life’s faded, blotted page. + 

Not for them the mournful dimming + 

Of the weary, tear-stained eye, + 

That has seen the sad procession + 

Of its dearest hopes go by. + 

Not for them the hopeless clinging + 

To life’s worn and feeble strands, + 

Till the last has ceased to tremble + 

In our agèd, withered hands. + 

Never lines of light and darkness + 

Thread the brows forever fair, + 

And the eldest of the angels + 

Seems the youngest brother there. + 

There the stream of life doth never + 

Cross the mournful plains of death, + 

And the pearly gates are ever + 

Closed against his icy breath. + 