I Thought My Eyes Were Stinging

I thought my eyes were stinging Till I saw a blind man pass, I thought my legs were aching Till I saw a cripple there, I thought that I had nothing Then a beggar on the street, Asked me for a penny That I placed within his hand. I thought my clothes were tatty Till I saw a lowly tramp, Who sheltered from the bitter cold In nothing more than rags, I thought that I was hungry Till I saw him feed upon, The bread thrown for the pigeons In the dirty market square. I complained about the noises Till I heard a deaf man say, He longed to hear the songbirds That did sing upon the bough, I knew then I was lucky And so many worse than I, I thanked the Lord for what I had Then went upon my way.