Country Road

 Marching, marching, soldier shoes
Have passed this way before-
Young men, strong men, moving on
To give their lives in war.
 
Softly, softly, lovers’ step
Have trod this sacred spot,
Where young folks whiled the time away
Till all else was forgot.
 
Riding, riding, horses’ hooves
Have pounded down the earth
Bearing onward messengers,
Sweating ‘neath the girth.
 
Laughing, laughing, children’s feet
Have danced across the way,
Barefoot summer pleasures
On sun-baked earthen clay.
 
And now, and now the country road,
In contemplative muse
Lies silent in the setting sun,
Silent in the dews.
 
Alone, alone, forsaken
It wanders on and on.
With flowers on its dusky fringe,
An evening gown to don.
 
And we? We never know the past
Or whom has travelled here,
But out along a country road
Where air is fresh and clear,
 
One can drink in freedom,
And hear the melody
That all of nature’s harmonized
And singing joyfully.