圣誕節(jié)英語詩歌：on going home for christmas

he little knew the sorrow that was in his vacant
     chair;
     he never guessed they'd miss him, or he'd
     surely have been there;
     he couldn't see his mother or the lump that
     filled her throat,
     or the tears that started falling as she read
     his hasty note;
     and he couldn't see his father, sitting sor-
     rowful and dumb,
     or he never would have written that he thought
     he couldn't come.
     he little knew the gladness that his presence
     would have made,
     and the joy it would have given, or he never
     would have stayed.
     he didn't know how hungry had the little
     mother grown
     once again to see her baby and to claim him
     for her own.
     he didn't guess the meaning of his visit
     christmas day
     or he never would have written that he
     couldn't get away.
     he couldn't see the fading of the cheeks that
     once were pink,
     and the silver in the tresses; and he didn't
     stop to think
     how the years are passing swiftly, and next
     christmas it might be
     there would be no home to visit and no mother
     dear to see.
     he didn't think about it -- i'll not say he didn't
     care.
     he was heedless and forgetful or he'd surely
     have been there.
     are you going home for christmas? have you
     written you'll be there?
     going home to kiss the mother and to show
     her that you care?
     going home to greet the father in a way to
     make him glad?
     if you're not i hope there'll never come a time
     you'll wish you had.
     just sit down and write a letter -- it will make
     their heart strings hum
     with a tune of perfect gladness -- if you'll tell
     them that you'll come.