Cover them ... cover them, over and over
With blankets of sweet grass and fresh white clover.

Cover them ... cover them, that none may see
Which were the bond-slaves and which were the free.

Sing to them, sing to them, thrush in the hedges;-
Years full of need ... life sharp at the edges.

Give to them, give to them, over and over
Pure vocal orisons through the white clover!

Serenade, serenade, - old man ... young lover
Under the sod are laid, God's sky hung over.

Never mind ... never ask (for you are wiser)
Which was a prodigal, which was a miser?

Beauty ... or bitterness? Caught every side
Life took their measure ... was strength then denied?

Some, they sought ... some, they fought passion's dark flaming,
Carnal ways, vanities ... things beyond naming.

Happy heart, weary heart, here you all wend
With the mistakes you made ... day is at end.

Shelter them, shelter them,- that none may see
Which were the bond-slaves and which were the free.