My Boy Went

My boy went off to war

They packed all his bags for him

He was sent along his way

I cried alone in darkness

The first letter came to me

Sick with dread and sorrow

It sat by my bedside by the water

It sat by my bedside and waited

When the fever of melancholy 

Finally broke and out sweated

I sat up and found my pollow

and saw tears with which

It'd been wetted and I turned

To the letter that waited

And the words that I read

Filled me with peace

"My love, be certain

I will come back to you

Whether the war is won or lost

I'll be in the arms that I love

When that time finally comes."

The letter does not sit anymore

on my bedside table

I buried it out in the yard

And watched as hope sprung forth

I can see it from the window

In the kitchen where we broke fast

I watched over my hope

And watched it grow strong

So that I can be filled with peace

As the Spring of hope

Reigns eternal