The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-07-23
"Awkward Joe 7

Twas a sultry evening-the sun went down
On the glitter and show of seaside town,
With an air of conscious pride;
For host of bathers were gathered there,
The handsome man, and the maiden fair,
To lave in the cooling tide.
Slowly along the crowded street,
With flowing hair and unclad feet,
And garments tattered and torn,
With a careless mien and a staring eye
Laughed to scorn by the passer by
Strobe man with look forlorn.
"The horrid thing ~ IT'S woman calls,
And on the air of the evening falls
Her laughter, long and loud;
But gentle nod of the unkempt head,
And the stranger is on with careless tread
No monarch e'er proud.
Caring naught for their fellow-man,
The stylish youth disgusted scan,
Through many gold-rimmed glass,
The careless form and garments old,
And laugh, in the pride of their shining gold,
To see the stranger pass.
1t is Awkward Joe'' who moves along,
Needless all of the laughing throng-
He has heard the sound before;
He has watched the bathers, many day,
Tossing about in the flying spray,
Out over the sandy shore.
By the scornful man, and maiden fair,
He treads with proud, majestic air,
And passes along his way;
Why should the warm heart be DISTRESSED
At the harmless thrust of a merry jest E?
He hears it every day.
Up from the shadowy twilight gray
Rises the glittering Lamp of Day,
With many a streak of gold;
Aud t1,aI, ,r-;tl CHI
Come strolling down. boisterous rout.
To play in the waters cold.
A scream of terror fierce and strong,
Echoes the sandy beach along,
And hearts stand still with fear;
IA lady is carried out to sea ~
And strong men listen breathlessly
The frantic cries to hear.
Down through the watchers pale and still,
There rushes MAN of iron will,
And heart as brave and true
AS ever heaTkened to sorrows cry
Ready for friendship to do or die
And dashed the cold waves through.
Swift through the roll of waters broke
Those sturdy arms, with steady stroke
Now, Father, speed them on
Till they sieze and bring to the sandy shore
The form of the sinking one, before
The spark of life is gone.
With a cheering shout they gather round
AS he lays the form on the chilling ground,
And clasp in loving fold
That once despised and ill-kempt form,
Which holds heart so brave and warm,
And proffer gifts of gold.
But silently down, on bended knee.
Sinks Awkward Joe, by the roaring sea,
And lifts his voice on high,
With praise to the Father, who dwells above,
Who keeps all by his tender love,
Who hears His children's cry.
Then up, and away, the unclad feet
Rushing along on the busy street,
And the towards. with their gold,
The noblest manhood God hath given
The soul which CLEANS with the light of Heayen,
King of Men, behold.
Oh, who shall say, when the tide comes in
With its ever-drifting load of sin,
And life's fierce struggles o'er,
When in the breakers, fierce and cold,
Are struggling men with their weight of gold,
All seeking peaceful shore
But, safe from the wild and murderous seas
Where gently sweeps the Springtime breeze,
Where flowers eternal blow,
With a sacred harp in those sturdy hands,
On beauteous shore of golden sands,
Shall rest poor Awkward Joe =?