Loneliness is a shadowy hand
That reaches deep into the night,
Clutching our hearts, awakening our pain,
Reminding us of our wretched plight
(Without feeling the least bit contrite)

What a cruel master is Loneliness,
Each night it connives with the moon,
Urging her to mock and deride our pain,
While we cry, and our hearts lie in ruin
(To our pain and woe they're both immune)

Born of an evil, uncaring source
Loneliness has but one intent:
To deliver its pain and agony
To our hearts, causing endless torment
(Turning a deaf ear to our lament)

Loneliness can change a smiling face
To one filled with panic and fear;
Tearful eyes that once reflected Love
Tell Loneliness what it longs to hear:
(We have lost the one we held most dear)

But Loneliness has one fearless foe
That always ensures its defeat:
Love appears, rendering its deadly blow,
Knocking Loneliness right off its feet
(What other battle could be as sweet?)

Alas! Loneliness will not be deterred,
It knows the ways of Love are fleeting,
How patiently it waits in the shadows  
To pounce when it sees Love retreating!
(And the dead heart goes right on beating)

It's time I set sail for an unknown shore,
I've rigged the mast the best that I could,
My destination's a mystery,
And I fear, perhaps more than I should

Blindly I've wandered, so what's left to fear ....
Another storm? I've weathered them all,
Love's tangled vines have tripped me before,
So it's of small concern if I fall

And should a wave cause my boat to capsize .....
More than once I've drowned in my own tears,
Then cruelly revived, against my will,
And so this is the least of my fears

I may encounter nights as black as coal,
Frosty winds that could turn flames to ice,
But should this come to pass, I'm prepared,
I'll recite his love poems, once or twice

And I'll stare at the sky's diamond necklace,
Recalling how we loved 'neath the stars,
O, when will I cease to yearn for love lost?
Old wounds hurt when you pick at the scars

I'm ready now to break the bonds of Earth,
Long enough on its thorns have I trod,
At journey's end, may I find my peace,
And forgiveness in the heart of God