Easter.

Let all the flowers wake to life;         Let all the songsters sing;     Let everything that lives on earth         Become a joyous thing.     Wake up, thou pansy, purple-eyed,         And greet the dewy spring;     Swell out, ye buds, and o'er the earth         Thy sweetest fragrance fling.     Why dost thou sleep, sweet violet?         The earth has need of thee;     Wake up and catch the melody         That sounds from sea to sea.     Ye stars, that dwell in noonday skies,         Shine on, though all unseen;     The great White Throne lies just beyond,         The stars are all between.     Ring out, ye bells, sweet Easter bells,         And ring the glory in;     Ring out the sorrow, born of earth--         Ring out the stains of sin.     O banners wide, that sweep the sky,         Unfurl ye to the sun;     And gently wave about the graves         Of those whose lives are done.     Let peace be in the hearts that mourn--         Let "Rest" be in the grave;     The Hand that swept these lives away         Hath power alone to save.     Ring out, ye bells, sweet Easter bells,         And ring the glory in;     Ring out the sorrow, born of earth--         Ring out the stains of sin.