Take Me Back to the Mountains

Lord, give me grace
When I go from the mountains,
Away from the things
That bring peace to the soul

Hemlocks and spruces,
Fresh sweet-smelling balsam,
All green things of the earth
Which in beauty unroll

Peaks in the sunrise,
And peaks in the sunset,
Stars of pure gold
In the clear, silent nights

Mists full of stillness,
Bright clouds of soft whiteness,
Mystical glowing
Of far northern lights

Help me, I pray,
When these joys are behind me,
When down to the flat-lying
City I go,

Take me in spirit
Back, back to the mountains,
To rest in Thy Presence
And be still and know...

L. Harris '91