It was
on the
Mississippi
Where
the
great
draw-bridge
was
known,
And
the
keeper
had
great
honor
Far
from
his
Oklahoma
home.
It was
in the
dark
depression
days -
He'd
headed
toward
the
east,
But
found
this
most
prestigious
post
To
feed
his
family.
When
the
ships
came
down
the
river
Then
he
pulled
the
lever
hard-
And
the
bridge
split
in the
middle;
Raised
and
stood
like a
giant
guard
Letting
pass
the
ships
of
cargo
Going
north
and
south
each
day -
And
the
captains
highly
trusted
him -
This
keeper
of the
way.
Now
the
trains
that
crossed
the
river
Sounded
out a
whistle
shrill;
The
engineers
had
confidence
In the
keeper
down
the
hill,
So
they
bustled
on so
speedily
-
They
knew
this
bridge
would
hold
All
their
merchandise
and
passengers,
All
their
many
forms
of
gold.
It
happened
on a
sunny
day
The
keeper
took
his
only
son -
Let
him
watch
him do
his
duty,
Let
him
see a
job
well
done.
They
had
lunch
down
on the
walkway
Jutting
out
into
the
deep,
For
from
there
the
bridge
looked
awesome
Like a
giant
he
must
keep.
They
looked
down
and
saw
the
cogs
and
pins -
The
gears
all
polished
bright
-
The
keeper
pointed
out
the
turns
they
made
To
make
the
bridge
raise
right.
Then -
engrossed
in
their
discussion
-
Came a
sound
of
great
alarm!
'Twas
the
whistle
of the
engineer’
Signaling
to
keep
from
harm.
The
keeper
leapt
to
scale
the
wall
And
pull
the
lever
fast!
He
dare
not
waste
a
moment
for
The
train
too
soon
would
pass!
So he
ran
and
grabbed
the
lever
Just
glancing
up to
see
His
son,
not
waiting
on the
dock
Where
he was
told
to be.
His
eyes
fell
on the
gear
box-
His
son in
agony
Had
fallen
there
and
caught
up
tight
In the
gears
of
that
machine!
Four
hundred
souls
are
racing
To
crash
into
the
bridge!
Four
hundred
people
he
would
choose
To
sacrifice
or
live!
There
was no
time
to
warn
the
train
Nor
rescue
safe
his
son
......
And so
he did
the
only
thing.....
And
wept
when
it was
done.....
The
train
passed
by
unheeding
The
keeper
weeping
there;
He
looked
up -
saw
the
faces
Of
passengers
so
fair -
A
little
girl
with
ice
cream,
A man
in
tall
grand
hat -
A
woman
with
companion
Engaged
in
friendly
chat.
....They
never
knew
as
they
swept
by
The
sacrifice
it
cost....
The
keeper
weeping
bitterly
So
loved
the
boy he
lost!
....I
cannot
help
but
think
the
day
That
God
gave
up His
Son....
The
world
goes
rushing
on its
way
Unaware
of
what
He's
done.
He
built
a
bridge
that
spans
the
gulf
From
here
to
Heaven's
shore.
He
sacrificed
His
Only
Son -
He
opened
Heaven's
door!
Oh,
Keeper,
how
can I
repay
That
Heart
that
loves
us
true?
Dear
Keeper
of the
Bridge
of
Love...
I give
my
life
to
You!
Author Unknown To Me
Received By E-mail, Wanted You To
See It.
