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Edgar Guest - James Whitcomb Riley
Work rating: Low

There must be great rejoicin` 
   on the Golden Shore to-day, 
An` the big an` little angels 
   must be feelin` mighty gay: 
Could we look beyond the curtain now 
   I fancy we should see 
Old Aunt Mary waitin`, smilin`, 
    for the coming that`s to be, 
An` Little Orphant Annie an` 
    the whole excited pack 
Dancin` up an` down an` shoutin`: 
   "Mr. Riley`s comin` back!" 

There`s a heap o` real sadness 
   in this good old world to-day; 
There are lumpy throats this morning 
   now that Riley`s gone away; 
There`s a voice now stilled forever 
   that in sweetness only spoke 
An` whispered words of courage 
   with a faith that never broke. 
There is much of joy and laughter 
   that we mortals here will lack, 
But the angels must be happy now 
   that Riley`s comin` back. 

The world was gettin` dreary, 
   there was too much sigh an` frown 
In this vale o` mortal strivin`, 
   so God sent Jim Riley down, 
An` He said: "Go there an` cheer `em 
   in your good old-fashioned way, 
With your songs of tender sweetness, 
   but don`t make your plans to stay, 
Coz you`re needed up in Heaven. 
   I am lendin` you to men 
Just to help `em with your music, 
    but I`ll want you back again." 

An` Riley came, an` mortals heard 
   the music of his voice 
An` they caught his songs o` beauty 
   an` they started to rejoice; 
An` they leaned on him in sorrow, 
   an` they shared with him their joys, 
An` they walked with him the pathways 
   that they knew when they were boys. 
But the heavenly angels missed him, 
   missed his tender, gentle knack 
Of makin` people happy, an` 
   they wanted Riley back. 

There must be great rejoicin` 
   on the streets of Heaven to-day 
An` all the angel children 
   must be troopin` down the way, 
Singin` heavenly songs of welcome 
   an` preparin` now to greet 
The soul that God had tinctured 
   with an ever-lasting sweet; 
The world is robed in sadness 
   an` is draped in sombre black; 
But joy must reign in Heaven now 
   that Riley`s comin` back.
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