What a lovely room is friendship
We are building every day!
Shelter human hearts are craving
As we journey on life’s way.

Understanding deep and thorough
Are the walls it always seems,
Love that covers makes the ceiling,
And forgiveness forms the beams.

Patience makes a good, hard flooring,
And the door swings on good will.
Songs of hope and faith make windows:
Welcome sits upon the sill.

Good cheer crackles in the fireplace,
And the humble board is spread
With a love for foe and stranger—­
Life’s immortal wine and bread.

We are candles in this shelter
In this friendship room down here.
Hither Providence has placed us
With our light to guide and cheer.

But today a light is missing,
All the room seems in a shade.
Now we know how bright the candle,
And how fair the light it made.

By its flame our faith was quickened,
How our hearts took on good cheer
And our lips took up life’s music
Every time that light drew near.

We are candles, all are burning
In this friendship room today.
O the ecstasy of living
As we bum our lives away.