The darkness now is lifting Dawn blushes in the sky It lays a spread of gold and red And breathes a lullaby To a thousand quiet creatures Of earth and sky and stream Who cannot know that paradise Will one day be a dream
When the last wagon rolls along And fades into the West And cuts a trail of progress Through a singing skylark's nest When the last woodland creature Lifts her head to flee And is snared by her protector Lord, who will set her free?
When the boundless spirit Has no place to roam The heart will sadly whisper This world is not my home When the sweep of wind along the grass Bows down to destiny When the last bright star has fallen Lord, who will comfort me?
When the last prairie flower Gives up her yellow bloom When the high cathedral skies Give way to crowded rooms When we parcel heaven And fence eternity When the wildness is all tamed and torn Don't let me live to see
When the last campfire flickers And is laid to righteous rest When the Ones who wandered without fear Are cursed who once were blessed When all our deeds of glory Are laid in front of Thee When you ask what man hath wrought Don't rest Your gaze on me