When dips my oar the Silent River <br />That Eternity and Time divide, <br />This house of clay I’ll leave forever <br />A new one waits, just o’er the tide. <br /> <br />This old clay, I’ll leave to crumble <br />Earth to earth, and dust to dust; <br />My vessel there, in the sweet forever, <br />‘Twill never mar, nor stain, nor rust. <br /> <br />T’wont be plagued with hurt and anguish, <br />Nor tempted with man’s gain and lust; <br />Pain and parting, there no never, <br />The gentle land of love and trust. <br /> <br />Yes, when my oar with silver glistens <br />From bright Jordan’s silent tide, <br />All to this world I leave behind me <br />Will lie in a grave on the green hillside. <br /> <br />Oh, meet me o’er the Silent River! <br />Our new forms there by faith will match <br />The house of clay we’ve left behind us; <br />Your familiar face at sight I’ll catch. <br /> <br />Pray that I my Oar have ready, <br />Both prepared to live and die; <br />That when we leave this clay behind us <br />We’ll meet again, friend, you and I.<br /><br />Wildwood Slim<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/house-of-clay/