Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Up-Hill

by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)

Reads in about 1 minute16 linesChristian

Add to my planLarge print for the reader

Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.

But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.

Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.

Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.

About this text

Poet
Christina Rossetti, 1830–1894
Printing used
Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862)
First published
1862
Public domain
This printing 1862, before 1931
Often chosen
for mom, for grandma, for a woman, christian, short