there was dark before the light
for the deeper 'n blacker the night
the greater the light shows up bright
black displays best the white

no matter that a child's born wild,
no matter man is angered or riled
no matter if your spirit's defiled
no matter that you feel reviled

if you struggle in life and succeed
to toil and work in sowing the seed
if you pull out weeds and try to encourage
the goodness to grow, the goodness to flourish

or if you struggle in life and fail
you cry out of pain and wail and wail
as you flounder about and flail
in suffering, in depths of your soul's jail

every sigh, every good desire,
the want and yen to escape the mire,
shines as gem, as diamond in coal
and builds the lights of your inner soul

as white chalk on blackened board,
your sighs in Great Book are written 'n stored,
forever sharpening the sword
'gainst evil, the devil and his horde.