If I Were a Voice

And whenever I saw the nations torn

If I were a voice, a persuasive voice,
By warfare, jealousy, or scorn,
That could travel the wide world through,
Or hatred of their kind,
I would fly on the beams of the morning
light, I’d fly, I’d fly, on the thunder-crash,

And speak to men with a gentle might, And into their blinded bosoms flash;

And tell them to be true. And, all their evil thoughts subdued,

I’d fly, I’d fly, o’er land and sea, I’d teach them Christian Brotherhood.

Wherever a human heart might be, IV.

Telling a tale, or singing a song, If I were a voice, a pervading voice,

In praise of the right - in blame of the I’d seek the kings of Earth;
wrong.
I’d find them alone on their beds at night
II.
And whisper words that should guide
If I were a voice, a consoling voice, them right

I’d fly on the wings of air, Lessons of priceless worth;

The homes of Sorrow and Guilt I’d seek, I’d fly more swift than the swiftest bird,

And calm and truthful words I’d speak And tell them things they never heard

To save them from Despair. Truths which the ages for aye repeat

I’d fly, I’d fly, o’er the crowded town, Unknown to the statesmen at their feet.

And drop, like the happy sun-light, down V.

Into the hearts of suffering men, If I were a voice, an immortal voice,

And teach them to rejoice again. I’d speak in the people’s ear;

III. And whenever they shouted ‘Liberty,’

If I were a voice, a convincing voice, Without deserving to be free,

I’d travel with the wind, I’d make their error clear.

And whenever I saw the nations torn I’d fly, I’d fly, on the wings of day,

By warfare, jealousy, or scorn, Rebuking wrong on my world-wide way,

If I were a voice, a convincing voice, And making all the Earth rejoice–

I 'd travel with the wind, If I were a voice-an immortal voice.