Our father was a farmer – Verse 263

Our father was a farmer,
His heart was in the soil
It’s there he found his solace,
Among the grimy toil.
He planted the seed in springtime,
The spuds, the beans, the hay,
He prayed that God would bless them,
A harvest, Lord, he prayed.
He tilled and cultivated them,
Provided the most tender care,
Believed that come October,
He’d reap a harvest fair.
Blue skies were his cathedral,
A tractor, his altar of prayer,
God met him in the hayfields,
They had communion there.
Our father was a farmer
That’s all he ever was.
The values that the land taught him,
He handed down to us.
We loved our farmer father -
We’re thankful, he was ours,
We pray that God will bless him,
Today and for all time.

One At Rest – Verse 266

Think of me as one at rest, for me you should not weep.
I have no pain, no troubled thoughts for I am just asleep.
The living, thinking me that was, is now forever still
And life goes on without me now, as time forever will.

If you heart is heavy now because I’ve gone away,
Dwell not long upon it, friend, for none of us can stay.
Those of you who liked me, I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me, I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan, as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate, to laugh, to love, to cry.
Matters it now if time began if time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all and now I am at peace.  

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes – Verse 268

O Holy Virgin,
in the midst of your days of glory,
do not forget the sorrows
of this earth.
Cast a merciful glance upon
those who are suffering,
struggling against difficulties,
with their lips constantly pressed
against life’s bitter cup.
Have pity on those who love
each other and are separated.
Have pity on our rebellious hearts.
Have pity on our weak faith.
Have pity on those who weep,
on those who pray, on those who fear.
Grant hope and peace to all.

Boxers Prayer – Verse 228

I ask you not for victory...
for somehow, that seems wrong,
but only for protection,
and the courage to be strong.
 
Strength not to conquer
but just that I'll fight well
and prove myself a sportsman
at the final bell.
 
And if by chance, he floors me
and the canvas I should meet
like Simon of Cyrene
Please help me to my feet.
 
Please help me to go the distance,
through rounds with danger rife,
not only in the boxing ring,
but in the larger ring of life.

Timothy – Verse 229

I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

We miss your smile – Verse 236

We miss your smile, your joking ways,
We miss the things you used to say.
And when old times we do recall,
It’s then we miss you most of all.

To have and to hold, and then to part – Verse 178

To have and to hold, and then to part,
Is the greatest sorrow of a broken heart.
Too young to die, too precious to lose,
We had no choice, we couldn't choose.
In thoughts we see you just the same,
With love and pride we speak your name,
You are never more than a thought away;
We love and remember you every day.
Every flower and leaf may wither,
Each evening sun may set
The hearts that loved and lost
Are the ones that will never forget.
I try so hard to hide,
Some people say as time goes by
The heartache will subside.
But the feelings in our hearts today
Are the same as the day you died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
Your parting caused such pain
But the greatest day has yet to come,
When we will meet again.

A Place Where Children Are – Verse 185

What kind of place would heaven be with all its streets of gold,
if all the souls, that dwell up there like yours and mine, were old?
How strange would heaven’s music sound when harps begin to ring,
if children were not gathered ‘round to help the angels sing.
The children that God sends to us are only just a loan,
He knows we need their sunshine to make the house a home.
We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile.
He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends them for a while.
Sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come.
Sometimes in just a month or two our Father calls them home.
I like to think some souls up there bear not one sinful scar.
I love to think of heaven as a place where children are.

A loved one never leaves you – Verse 163

A loved one never leaves you,
They're never far away.
They watch you from a distance
And guide you every day.
They do become your angel
And look down from above.
A loved one never leaves you
Because you always have their love.

Life is an opportunity – Verse 172

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

- Mother Theresa -  

When I am gone – Verse 177

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
 
You mustn't tie yourself to me in tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
 
I gave to you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
 
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I travelled on alone.
 
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
 
It's only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within  your heart.
 
I won't be far away for life goes on,
So if you need me call and I will come.
 
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you'll hear,
All my love around  you, soft and clear.
 
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a
‘WELCOME HOME'.

When tomorrow starts without me – Verse 123

When tomorrow starts without me
and I'm not here to see...
If the sun should rise and find your eyes filled with tears.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today...
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you...
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me, too.
But when tomorow starts without me, please try and understand...
An angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.
He said my place was ready, in Heaven far above...
And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart...
For every time you think of me I'm right here in your heart.