Standing By

When trouble comes your soul to try
You love the friend who just "stands by."

Perhaps there's nothing he can do-
The thing is strictly up to you;

For there are troubles all your own,
And paths the soul must tread alone;

Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load,

But just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end,

Whose sympathy through all endures,
Whose warm handclasp is always yours-

It helps, someday, to pull you through,
Although there's nothing he can do,

And so with fervent heart you cry,
"God bless the friend who just 'stands by' !"

~ B. Y. WILLIAMS