Come in! I thought that you might have called in yesterday.
What's that you say? You did pass by, but it wasn't time
What has time to do with it anyway!
I'm sure I heard the doctor say "It could be any time."
But I was half asleep just then, I didn't hear him leave.
All kinds of things were passing through my head
Father and Mother and our son John and my dear Eve
Why her? So young! I could have gone instead.
What did you say? It had to be that way
Who says which way it has to be
Is there then, no redress. No matter how we pray?
No! Only our allotted span. No more no less
Well, as you say. What has to be will be
I've always thought so too and so did she
But she only ever thought of what was best for me.

And that last evening when I'd given her a drink
Smoothed her hair and the pillow for her head
And kissed her brow. She was quite happy then I think
She must have gone to sleep, and so must I, and I never heard your silent tread
And so you say that was the way it had to be
And me not with her at the end, but she came back again that night
When all the world was sleeping. Came back to me
And in the silent hours we held each other close
And peace has come to us both ere morning light
And now I'm tired and feel that I must rest
I'm glad you came to day, perhaps it's best this way
Give me your hand for we must speed a parting guest
And she I know is waiting for me now. Oh happy day

The figure by the bedside knelt and saying just a word of prayer
Closed the still eyes, and made a sign above the silent breast
And raising left the room, and closed the door
And left him lying there at rest.