The Golden Treasury of Irish Songs & Lyrics

Volume Two - Complete Text & Lyrics

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IRISH SONGS AND LYRICS 239
The kindly word unspoken is a sin — A sin that wraps itself in purest guise,
And tells the heart that, doubting, looks within, That not in speech, but thought, the virtue lies.
But 'tis not so: another heart may thirst
For that kind word, as Hagar in the wild — Poor banished Hagar—prayed a well might burst
From out the sand, to save her parching child. And loving eyes that cannot see the mind
Will watch the expected movement of the lip : Ah ! can ye let its cutting silence wind
Around that heart and scathe it like a whip ?
Unspoken words like treasures in the mine
Are valueless until we give them birth. Like unfound gold their hidden beauties shine
Which God has made to bless and gild the earth. How sad 'twould be to see a master's hand
Strike glorious notes upon a voiceless lute — But oh ! what pain when at God's own command
A heart-string thrills with kindness, but is mute !
Then hide it not, the music of the soul,
Dear sympathy expressed with kindly voice, But let it like a shining river roll
To deserts dry—to hearts that would rejoice. Oh ! let the symphony of kindly words
Sound for the poor, the friendless, and the weak, And He will bless you. He who struck these chords
Will strike another when in turn you seek.