Darkness now is lifting

Dawn blushes in the sky

It lays a spread of gold and red

And sings a lullaby

To a thousand quiet creatures

Of earth and sky and stream

Who cannot know that paradise

Will one day be a dream



When the last wagon rolls along

And fades into the west

And cuts a trail of progress

Through a singing skylark's nest

When the last woodland creature

Lifts her head to flee

And is snared by her protector

Lord, who will set her free?



When the boundless spirit

Has no place to roam

The heart will softly whisper

This world is not my home



When the sweep of wind along the grass

Bows down to destiny

When the last bright star has fallen

Lord, who will comfort me?



When the last prairie flower

Gives up her yellow bloom

When the high cathedral sky

Gives way to crowded rooms

When we partial heaven

And fence eternity

When the wildness is all tamed and torn

Don't let me live to see



When the last campfire flickers

And is laid to righteous rest

When the ones who wander without fear

Are cursed that once were blessed

When all your deeds of glory

Are laid in front of thee

When you ask what man hath wrought

Don't rest your gaze on me



When the boundless spirit

Has no place to roam

The heart will softly whisper

This world is not my home



When the sweep of wind along the grass

Bows down to destiny

When the last bright star has fallen

Lord, who will comfort me?