A Wayfaring Song

Henry van Dyke (1852–1933)

From The Outlook

O WHO will walk a mile with me

Along life’s merry way?

A comrade blithe and full of glee,

Who dares to laugh out loud and free,

And let his frolic fancy play,

Like a happy child, through the flowers gay

That fill the field and fringe the way

Where he walks a mile with me.

And who will walk a mile with me

Along life’s weary way?

A friend whose heart has eyes to see

The stars shine out o’er the darkening lea,

And the quiet rest at the end o’ the day,—

A friend who knows, and dares to say,

The brave, sweet words that cheer the way

Where he walks a mile with me.

With such a comrade, such a friend,

I fain would walk till journeys end,

Through summer sunshine, winter rain,

And then?—Farewell, we shall meet again!