When I must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while,
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow
To you through the years,
But start out bravely
with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same
Feed not your loneliness on empty days,
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never, never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky.
He will gently call you home,
Oh, the rapture  of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come.