"I'll lend you, for a little time,
A child of Mine", He said,
"For you to love her while she lives
And mourn for when she's dead".
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty two or three
But will you 'till I call for her take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charm to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have her happy memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this whole world over,
In my search for teachers few,
And from the throng that crowd life's way,
I have selected you.
Now, will you give her all your love,
Nor think the effort vain,
Nor hate me, when I come to call,
To take her home again?
I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done"
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of pain we'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness,
And love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
And should the angels come for her,
Much sooner than we've planned
We'll face the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.