ARE all the children in? The night is falling,
And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west;
The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter,
The bird hies to her nest;
The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest;
And darkness settles o'er the fearful din;
Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone;
Are all the children in? Are all the children in? The night is falling
When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.
O, “at the last it biteth like a serpent!”
Poisoned are stolen sweets.
O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience,
Too prone to wander in the paths of sin!
O, shut the door of love against temptation!
Are all the children in? Are all the children in? The night is falling;
The night of death is hastening on apace!
The Lord is calling, “Enter thou thy chamber,
And tarry there a space.”
And when he comes, the King in all his glory,
Who died the shameful death our hearts to win,
O may the gates of heaven shut about us,
With all the children in.
— Selected.