The Ballad of Heaven by John Davidson Lyrics

He wrought at one great work for years;
The world passed by with lofty look;
Sometimes his eyes were dashed with tears;
Sometimes his lips with laugher shook.

His wife and child went clothed in rags,
And in a windy garret starved;
He trod his measure on flags,
And high on heaven his music carved.

Wistful he grew but never feared;
For always on the midnight skies
His rich orchestral score appeared
In stars and zones and galaxies.

He thought to copy down his score;
The moonlight was his lamp; he said,
‘Listen my love,’ but on the floor
His wife and child were lying dead.