Classic Poem

You have made holy ground of this wild land amid the hemlock trees,
On ev'ry flower have left your kiss, have left your voice on ev'ry breeze.
You came for but a little while; you went — forever it may be;
But now the sunshine is your smile, the stars your tenderness to me.

You have made holy ground of all the paths we walked, the ways we knew,
And pure as Heaven's jasper wall the hills that once encompassed you.
You have shut sin from out this place, there is no evil word nor thought —
By your divinity of face have here a holy wonder wrought.

You have made holy ground of life wherever life the way may lead,
Have taught me honor in the strife and decency in ev'ry deed.
Where'er I go, whate'er the goal, however far my feet may stray,
I feel the presence of your soul and know a saint has passed this way.