Vestigia
		
words by Bliss Carman, now in the public domain
music © 1985 Jane Best
"Vestigia" is Latin for footprints

Intro: Em
Em                    D              Em
I took a day to search for God,
                         C          D    Em
And found Him not.  But as I trod
Am          Em                  D       Em
By rocky ledge, through woods untamed,
                           C        D   G
Just where one scarlet lily flamed,
Em                          D       Em
I saw His footprint in the sod.


Then suddenly, all unaware,
Far off in the deep shadows, where
A solitary hermit thrush
Sang through the holy twilight hush-
I heard His voice upon the air.

And even as I marveled how
God gives us Heaven here and now,
In a stir of wind that hardly shook
The poplar leaves beside the brook-
His hand was light upon my brow.

At last with evening as I turned
Homeward, and thought what I had learned
And all that there was still to probe-
I caught the glory of His robe
Where the last fires of sunset burned.

Back to the world with quickening start
I looked and longed for any part
In making saving Beauty be...
and from that kindling ecstasy
I know God dwelt within my heart.