Cross Roads

II. THE PARK BAND

     (Side by side and silent—eagerly they stand—
        Souls look out of tired eyes, hands are clasped
           together,
        Through the thrilling softness of the late spring
           weather,
     All a city slum is out to listen to the band.)

     Young love and Maytime, hear the joyous strain,
        Listen to a serenade written long ago!
        You will recognize the song—you who care must
           know
     Fear that blends with happiness, joy that touches
           pain.

     Rabbi with the grizzled beard hear adventure's story!
        Hear the tale the music tells, thrilling with ro-
           mance,
        Hear the clatter of a sword, hear a broken lance
     Falling from some hero's hand, red with blood-
           stained glory.

     (Tenements on either side, light-flecked in the gloam-
           ing,
        Tenements on either side, stark and tall and gray—
        Ah, the folk who line your halls wander far away,
     All a crowded city slum is a-gypsie roaming!)

     Woman with the brooding gaze, hear the lilting
           laughter
        Of the children that you loved, feel their soft-
           lipped kisses;
        Think of all the little joys that a hard world
           misses-
     What though bitter loneliness always follows after?

     Gangster with the shifty eyes, listen to the sighing
        Of the hymn tune that you heard at your mother's
           knee;
        Listen to the restless ghost of the used-to-be,
     Listen to a wistful ghost's empty-hearted crying.

     (Tenements on either side—menacing they stand—
        Light-flecked in the softness of the late spring
           weather....
        But young love and broken life are standing close
           together,
     And all a city slum is out to listen to the band.)