And answering cheer and joy were in the air.
I passed through touching scenes of humble life,
Where hearts were beating in their full content;
Where far from peaceful hearth and home lay strife,
And days of joy and gaiety were spent.
I passed 'mid scenes of dark and dull despair,
On, on, where bitter want and hunger raged;
Where naught of holiness was pictured there,
But man 'gainst man his cruel warfare waged!
I heard the wail of childhood in its need,