"I'll lend you for a little time
a child of mine," He said.
"For you to love the while she lives
and mourn for when she's dead.

It may be six or seven years,
or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back,
take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladen you,
and shall her stay be brief.
You'll have her lovely memories
as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over
in my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love,
nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to call
to take her home again?"

I fancied that I heard them say;
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child will bring
the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,
we'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
forever grateful stay."

But shall the angels call for her
much sooner than we've planned,
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand".