"It's the last run," he said as they waited,
"The freight cars are loaded and now
The passengers are seated and ready,
And the train, it will leave on the hour."
The driver stood quiet, by the engine,
And drew out his old pocket watch.
As he turned to his dusty old fireman,
He said, "Let's get her ready to cross."
Soon the train rumbled on to the river,
And the whistle screamed its goodbye,
As the ominous clack of the wheels on the track
Sped up as the train moved away.
At each departure, there's someone,
Who knows it's the final farewell
The heart aches, the eyes swell, the tears fall too,
But there's no more words left then to tell.
So the train drew near to the river,
And the verdant green slopes gleamed with dew,
As the train neared the end of its journey,
And the river came plainly in view.
On the other side stood the station,
On a well travelled route, we may know,
And the Master stood on the platform,
As He waited for the train to show.
So the train drew up to the platform,
And the faithful train driver stepped down,
And he said as he drew out the old pocket watch,
"We did it! We're right here on time!"
But the Master, the Lord of the station,
He smiled as the driver walked on,
And He opened His arms and was heard to exclaim,
"Well done, welcome home now, Leon."
Written to celebrate the life of Leon Smith on the occasion of his death 22/2/2022 and read at his funeral by his beloved neice, Judith Barnes.
(Tune : Log Cabin for Sale)
