Classic Poem

Our way to camp we used to drive
Along about this time of year.
A man felt good to be alive
When it come time again to steer
Up-river way. We'd top the hill
An' then the town would drop from sight
An' all the night got calm an' still
An' all the world got pure an' white.

You know, when you let loose of men
An' git up there among the trees,
You slip right back to God again
An' you're a kid on bended knees.
Then things you thought you had forgot
Come back to you by jump an' leap;
You find yourself, as like as not,
Repeatin' " Lay me down to sleep. "

There ain't no mystery in life,
There's nothin' you don't understand,
An' oldtime scraps an' oldtime strife
Look foolish in that silent land.
The careless doubt, the wonder, cease,
The way is clear that once was dim:
You know there is a Prince of Peace
An' hunger to git back to him.