Funeral Of A Child

Three years ago, I passed a little church While I walked on my way Sorrow rang out from the steeple bells As in the cemetery a group of people gathered I stopped to watch for a moment A small coffin being carried to the graveside Where soon it would be laid The priest stood beside it and slowly said “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away We commit this child into the arms of the Lord For his safe keeping for ever and ever Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” At the graveside I could see in the scene A young girl about nineteen and young man about twenty one Both were heartbroken because it was their child Their one any only son Being laid to rest, but never to be forgotten I turned to go on my way, when I saw from the grave A stairway to the sky appear On each step an angel stood all looking young and fair I stood astonished for a while As up the stairs walked a child From that day to this I wonder all the time What was the meaning of this sign (Date written unknown)