The Dying Californian

Lay up nearer, brother, nearer
 For my limbs are growing old
 And thy presence seemeth nearer
 When thine arms around me fold
 I am dying, brother, dying
 Soon you'll miss me in your berth
 For my form will soon be lying
 'Neath the oceans briny surf
 Tell my father when you see him
 That in death I prayed for him
 Prayed that I might only meet him
 In a world that's free of sin
 Tell my mother, God assist her
 Now that she is growing old
 That her child would glad have kissed her
 When his lips grew pale and cold
 Will you gain what I've lost?
 On this broken journey of trust
 Carry my soul back home
 Paint me the land of our childhood
 Tell me of love in their hearts
 Show me the strength of our fathers
 As you linger while I depart
 And if death does not shine behind the white
 clouds
 Harness my one final breath
 Let it sweep cross the plains of their
 memories
 And give wind to their sails as they venture
 into the dark
 Can you grasp it my loyal brother?
 Oh please help me. I can't find the way
 Will the wind whisper of glory's road?
 Or will the skies shiver as this tales tragedy
 unfolds?
 As the seas fall away, I hear
 A child's voice led astray
 Father, the legends you passed down to me
 They have not saved me the fate I've met
 I've gathered your spark for their eyes to
 see
 Can they light the candles we've left?
 Sillhouette stained in their minds
 Cursed figure leaves them blind
 Let go of this pain
 She will still remain
 Hear them speak your name
 Listen brother, catch each whisper
 Tis my wife I speak of now
 Tell oh tell her how I missed her
 When the fever burned my brow
 Tell her she must kiss my children
 Like the kiss I last impressed
 Hold them as when last I held them
 Held them closely to my brest
 Drown my pride with the blood I've given
 My selfish fear has despairful, tired eyes
 If you catch them the flames forbidden
 I can let the haunting storm subside
 Through the beckoning, frozon horizon
 A golden beam casts its life 'cross the earth
 It was for them I crossed the ocean
 What my hopes were I will not tell
 But they gained an orphan's portion
 Yet he doeth all things well
 Tell them I have reached the haven
 Where I sought the precious dust
 And I gained a port called Heaven
 Where the gold will never rust