One By One

One by one, ye are passing, beloved,             Out of the shadow into the light.                         One by one,                     Are your tasks all done.             Ended the toil, and the swift race run.                     Child and maiden, mother and sire,                         Sister and brother,                     Ye follow each other,     Out of the darkness where we stand weeping,     Weary and faint with our virgil-keeping,     Into die summer-land, peaceful and bright!         One by one, ye are passing, beloved,             Out of the darkness round us that lies -                         One by one,                     Gliding on alone,             Hearing nor heeding our plaint and moan.                     Friend and lover, the fondest, best,                         Most tender and true,                     Ye pass from our view,     Out of the night that enfolds us ever,     Out of the mists where we moan and shiver;     Into the joy-light of sunniest skies!         One by one, we are hasting, beloved,             Out of the midnight into the day.                         One by one,                     Are our tasks all done,             And the race that is set us with swift feet run.                     Loved and parted ones, still our own,                         Nearing you ever                     We press toward the river.     Over whose waters ye passed on before us,     Shortly to join in your rapturous chorus,     And swell the hosannas of Heaven for aye!         One by one, ye are greeting, beloved,             Those whom you left for a while in tears.                         One by one                     Is the bright goal won             By those ye lost sight of at set of sun.                     Child and maiden, mother and sire,                         Sister and brother,                     Ye're greeting each other,     Up where the holy ones round you are singing,     Up where the new song of Heaven is ringing,     Never to part through eternity's years!