They keep the faith, all those mothers whose sons died in infancy
Staring at the cradle by the hearth, hiding their worry
Hearing only the boys’ shouts of delight and the cries of mock battles

They keep the faith, all those mothers whose sons took a wife
Staring at the girls’ radiant youth, hiding their envy
Hearing only the tender whispered words and the laughter of lovers

They keep the faith, all those mothers whose sons went to war
Staring at the empty beds in the house, hiding their anxiety
Hearing only the footsteps on the threshold and the soldier’s gear laid away

They keep the faith, all those mothers whose sons are gone
Staring at the closed coffin by the church, hiding their grief
Hearing only the promise that they will rise again, their bodies forged anew