A ROAD goes up a pleasant hill, And a little house looks down： Ah！ but I see the roadway still And the day I left the town.

    The day I left my father's home, It's many a year ago, And a heart and hope were brave to roam¹ the long, long road I know.

    The long, long road by hill and plain, It's tired the heart might be：

    But hope stayed bright in sun or rain, And a Voice that called to me.

    A Voice that called me over the hill And out of the little town： Ah！ but I see the roadway still. And the good house looking down.

    The house that spake me never a No！ As I started brave away, But said with a blessing², Go！ And followed me every day.

    It followed me down the road of years, For a father's heart is true, And joy is sweet in a mother's tears For the deeds her child may do.

    The poor little deeds, all powerless For the Kingdom of God would be,

    Save in His mercy³ will He bless The road that goes with me：

    The road that left a pleasant hill, Where a little house looks down： Ah！ but I bless the roadway still, And the land beyond the town.