Beyond the Sunset

From The Washington Herald, November 4, 1912.
By John A. Joyce.
 

 There’s a land beyond the sunset
     Where the summer never ends
 And ingratitude is absent
     Among all celestial friends
 And our earthly tribulation
     Is forgotten on that shore,
 With happiness in splendor
     And sweet rest forever more.
 
 There’s a land beyond the sunset
     Where the flowers ever bloom,
 And pure love is everlasting
     To dispel the shades of gloom,
 Where the soul is plumed with beauty
     In an atmosphere of peace,
 And greed and vicious malice
     Shall forever fade and cease.
 
 There’s a land beyond the sunset
     Where suspicion cannot go
 And hypocrisy is never known
     To entrap with nameless woe,
 And where conscience ever lingers
     As transparent as the sun
 With hope and faith forever
     When this sordid life is done.
 
 There’s a land beyond the sunset
     And as bright as morning dew,
 With immortal angels singing
     For the faithful, brave, and true,
 Who never sold their honor
     On this venal, vernal sod
 But in the silence of their soul
     Held worship for their God.
 
 There’s a land beyond the sunset
     And another land up higher
 Where the soul is ever soaring
     And infused with heavenly fire,
 Where other suns and planets
     Roll around in mystic sway
 In their brilliant evolution
     And eternal right of way.