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Alvin (Bud) Herman Manz in 2024

Wrapped in thoughts of heav'nly nature
Silently Elijah stands;
At his side the true disciple,
Pain and grief his heart expands,
Feeling that to heaven's glory
Soon his Master shall attain,
Oh, what loss the earth must suffer
By the holy Prophet's gain!
By the holy Prophet's gain!

"Tarry with me and the people!"
Thus he speaks with aching heart.
"Darkness all the earth envelops,
Father, do not thou depart!"
"Soon by flaming heights and mountains
Separated we shall be!"
"To the end, oh let me tarry,
Never will I part from thee!"
Never will I part from thee!


And his master's eye is shining
With sublime and noble light;
Asks, "What is thy last petition
Ere from earth I take my flight?"
And Elisha cries with fervor:
"Grant that I may work like thee!
Let, I pray, a double portion
Of thy spirit rest on me!"
Of thy spirit rest on me!"

"Great is thy demand!" he answers
As the other's thought he reads;
Envies not the loved disciple
From whose heart this wish proceeds.
"If thou see me when I vanish,
Thy desire shall be supplied,
But if thou shalt not behold me,
Then thy plea shall be denied!
Then thy plea shall be denied!

Thus he speaks, when lo! around him
All is bright and glorious light;
Fiery steeds and fiery chariot
Sent by great Jehovah's might.
He who once the fire of heaven
Kindled in a thousand hearts,
Now ascends in flaming triumph
And from earthly night departs!
And from earthly night departs!

Trembling, quaking stands Elisha,
Sees without a veil the flight,
And with tearfilled eye is gazing
Into that celestial light.
Calls with yearning: "Father, father,
Dost thou enter heaven's gate?
Woe to this unhappy people
Whom thou leavest to its fate!"
Whom thou leavest to its fate!"