O BIRD of God! Unto the saint
Thou stretchest out thy wing:
Strong in thy strength he will not faint,
But, ever rising, sing.

Strongest of wingëd creatures thou,
Great eagle of our God!
From what vast eyrie bendest now
Where feet have never trod, --

To watch the world of waiting men,
And soothe their tired eyes,
To lift them out of earthly ken
Into thy mysteries?

Where, eagle of the Lord! hast borne --
Into what unknown bliss --
The weary ones from beds of thorn,
The dear ones that we miss?

Out in the dark we follow thee,
We seek the unsetting sun;
What untold glories shall we see
Before the flight be done!

O bird of God! unto the saint
Thou stretchest out thy wing:
Strong in thy strength we shall not faint,
But, ever rising, sing.