Rise, Mother, Rise: Open Your Eyes

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It’s time to rise, Mom, and leave the earth behind you
Rise up from the casket and pass on through
Your legs now work again; you may run if you choose
Like the little girl you once were—but there’s precious time to lose

Oh, go Mom, go and don’t turn around
For you’ll see now what we cannot, we creatures still earthbound
It’s all brightness there; but keep going—better hurry, don’t be late
Remember you’re a stranger there, and they may close the gate

Oh yes, you heard us singing? We were praying you away
And reminding ourselves we’ll be together on that great Resurrection Day

I don’t know if it’s true or not, but a famous Italian once said
That you forget all ugly memories as soon as you are dead
And only what was pleasant will last forevermore
Like happy times, and good folks, and what you were living for;

Like your papa coming home from shopping with some special gift for you
Such as chocolate, or a ribbon, or some gum for you to chew
And whatever thoughts were swirling through your brain
When you left for New York City, as you stepped onto the train

That feeling was somewhat like dying
You spent some time in crying,
Yet the joy of something new took hold of you
And your hundred years here below passed swiftly as a dream

Nothing bored you, all was exciting—or so it seemed
That wars, depressions, fads and fashions flitted all on by
And through them all your basic values would never die:
God above all else: You prayed through all the years

In happy times, in thankfulness,
In sad times through your tears
Now you’re with Him, and He with you: May your happiness be complete
Pray for me as I pray for you until we next will meet.