Poem by Unknown — I'll Stay

“I’ll stay where You’ve put me; I will, dear Lord,

          Though I wanted so badly, to go;

I was eager to march with the ’rank and file,’

Yes, I wanted to lead them, You know.

I planned to keep step to the music loud,

To cheer when the banner unfurled,

To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud,

But I’ll stay were You’ve put me.

“I’ll stay where You’ve put me, I’ll work, dear Lord

Though the field be narrow and small,

And the ground be fallow, and the stones lie thick,

And there seems to be no life at all.

The field is Thine own, only give me the seed,

I’ll sow it with never a fear;

I’ll till the dry soil while I want for the rain,

And rejoice when the green blades appear;

I’ll work where You’ve put me.

“I’ll stay where You’ve put me; I will, dear Lord;

I’ll bear the day’s burden and heat,

Always trusting Thee fully; when even has come

I’ll lay heavy sheaves at Thy feet.

And then, when my earth work is ended and done,

In the light of eternity’s glow,   

Life’s record all closed, I surely shall find

It was better to stay than to go;

I’ll stay where You’ve put me.