quote · Legacy record
Are all the memories of life Buried when life has fled? Are we forbid to keep again The birthdays of the dead? Time was when each successive year Brought one bright day of mirth, The looked-for anniversary Of some belov’d one’s birth. The birthday feasts of childhood’s age, The feasts of riper years, Remind us of like youthful joys Remembered now with tears. For they with whom those days were spent, Have done with all on earth, The fond home circle’s broken up That hailed each day of birth. Yet as the days come round again Marked with affection’s seal, Once more we think of those we’ve lost, Once more their presence feel. The blessed spirits now in Heaven, May not such cycles keep, Time metes not out their happiness, They know not night or sleep. Yet may they still retain the thoughts Commemorating birth, And haply still they keep in Heaven The calender of Earth. Far off are they, but still towards them Our loving arms we spread, And ever in our hearts we’ll keep The birthdays of the dead.
Are all the memories of life Buried when life has fled? Are we forbid to keep again The birthdays of the dead? Time was when each successive year Brought one bright day of mirth, The looked-for anniversary Of some belov’d one’s birth. The birthday feasts of childhood’s age, The feasts of riper years, Remind us of like youthful joys Remembered now with tears. For they with whom those days were spent, Have done with all on earth, The fond home circle’s broken up That hailed each day of birth. Yet as the days come round again Marked with affection’s seal, Once more we think of those we’ve lost, Once more their presence feel. The blessed spirits now in Heaven, May not such cycles keep, Time metes not out their happiness, They know not night or sleep. Yet may they still retain the thoughts Commemorating birth, And haply still they keep in Heaven The calender of Earth. Far off are they, but still towards them Our loving arms we spread, And ever in our hearts we’ll keep The birthdays of the dead.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- George E. Shirley (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 73 · printed citation: George E. Shirley · subject: BIRTH—BORN
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.