I heard a woodthrush call one time,
It was at close of day,
The sun had set and shadows soft
Along the woodlot lay.

The liquid note so sweet, so clear
Within my heart awoke
A strange and haunting echo faint
No human voice e’er spoke.

Where is the past from whence it came?
Why could it thrill me so?
0, lovely note, I hear you call
From out the long ago.

Why do you haunt my hungry heart,
And strangely stir me so?
Through all my life whene’er you call,
I leap and want to go.

My sun has passed its zenith hour,
The evening air is calm.
Long shadows rest behind my back.
I chant an evening psalm.

I wonder when I have to go,
If I might once more hear
A woodthrush call from out the woods
In notes so sweet and clear?

Of one thing I am very sure—
Its echo I will hear
Deep down within my waiting heart,
And I shall know no fear.