When your long day is over, and life's sun is gently sinking,
In a purple west whose shadows hide the land we may not see,
Will you mind, friend, will you mourn, if the cup you have been drinking
Has been full of vintage golden as the wine of life should be?
If the forefront of the battle was your place one glorious minute,
If you've seen a little silver in the clouds that hang o'erhead,
If the book that holds your story has a tale of love within it,
Then the path that lies behind you has been very good to tread.
Have you learned, upon life's journey, of true friendship golden-hearted,
Sought the sun among the shadows, found that many men are true?
Then you will not grieve, I take it, for the ghosts of things departed,
For the life has been worth living that has taught these things to you.
So what matter when the night come if the day has been a story
Of a struggle well contested, of a brave and sporting fight?
If you've conquered-good for you, friend; if you're down-there yet is glory
For the vanquished, that shall lighten all the coming of the night.
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