Over the edge of the purple down
Where the single lamplight gleams
Know ye the road to the Merciful Town
That is hard by the Sea of Dreams --
Where the poor may lay their wrongs away
And the sick may forget to weep?
But we -- pity us! Oh, pity us!
We wakeful; ah, pity us! --
We must go back with Policeman Day --
Back from the City of Sleep!

Weary they turn from the scroll and crown
Fetter and prayer and plough --
They that go up to the Merciful Town
For her gates are closing now
It is thеir right in the Baths of Night
Body and soul to steep
But we -- pity us! ah, pity us!
We wakеful; oh, pity us! --
We must go back with Policeman Day --
Back from the City of Sleep!

Over the edge of the purple down
Ere the tender dreams begin
Look -- we may look -- at the Merciful Town
But we may not enter in!
Outcasts all, from her guarded wall
Back to our watch we creep:
We -- pity us! ah, pity us!
We wakeful; ah, pity us! --
We that go back with Policeman Day --
Back from the City of Sleep!