I’ve cooked my meals before an open fire,
  I’ve had the joy of green smoke in my face,
I’ve followed for a time my heart’s desire
  An’ now the path of duty I retrace. 
I’ve had my little fishin’ trip, an’ go
  Once more contented to the haunts of men;
I’m ready now to hear the whistles blow
  An’ see the roofs an’ chimney tops again.

To an Old Friend

When we have lived our little lives and wandered all their byways through,
When we’ve seen all that we shall see and finished all that we must do,
When we shall take one backward look off yonder where our journey ends,
I pray that you shall be as glad as I shall be that we were friends.

Time was we started out to find the treasures and the joys of life;
We sought them in the land of gold through many days of bitter strife. 
When we were young we yearned for fame; in search of joy we went afar,
Only to learn how very cold and distant all the strangers are.

When we have met all we shall meet and know what destiny has planned,
I shall rejoice in that last hour that I have known your friendly hand;
I shall go singing down the way off yonder as my sun descends
As one who’s had a happy life, made glorious by the best of friends.

Satisfied With Life

I have known the green trees and the skies overhead
And the blossoms of spring and the fragrance they shed;
I have known the blue sea, and the mountains afar
And the song of the pines and the light of a star;
And should I pass now, I could say with a smile
That my pilgrimage here has been well worth my while.

I have known the warm handclasp of friends who were true;
I have shared in their pleasures and wept with them, too;
I have heard the gay laughter which sweeps away care
And none of the comrades I’ve made could I spare;
And should this be all, I could say ere I go,
That life is worth while just such friendships to know.

I have builded a home where we’ve loved and been glad;
I have known the rich joy of a girl and a lad;
I have had their caresses through storm and through shine,
And watched them grow lovely, those youngsters of mine;
And I think as I hold them at night on my knee,
That life has been generous surely to me.

Autumn Evenings

Apples on the table an’ the grate-fire blazin’ high,
Oh, I’m sure the whole world hasn’t any happier man than I;
The Mother sittin’ mendin’ little stockin’s, toe an’ knee,
An’ tellin’ all that’s happened through the busy day to me: 
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but these cosy autumn nights
Seem to glow with true contentment an’ a thousand real delights.