The Evening Trains

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1905

THE first train leaves at 6 P. M., For the land where the poppy blows, And mother dear is the engineer, And the passenger laughs and crows.

The palace car is the mother's arms; The whistle, a low sweet strain; The passenger winks and nods and blinks, And goes to sleep on the train.

At 8 P. M. the next train starts For the poppy-land afar, The summons clear falls on the ear: “All aboard for the sleeping car!”

But what is the fare to poppy-land? I hope it is not too dear; The fare is this, a hug and a kiss, And it's paid to the engineer.

So I ask of Him who children took On his knee in kindness great, “Take charge, I pray, of the trains each day That leave at six and eight.”

“Keep watch of the passengers,” thus I pray, “For to me they are dear; And a special ward, O gracious Lord, O'er the gentle engineer.”

— Selected.