I rewrote the last verse of the popular bluegrass song, “Farther Along”. The first verses lament the unfairness of life and, as the title implies, tell us “we’ll understand it all by and by.”

The original last verse goes into the usual claptrap about Jesus and Heaven and what-not, so here is my rewrite:

“In time we’ll go back to where we have started.

Back to the life spring we surely will soar.

Earth’s petty passions will trouble no longer

Free once again, we’ll be forevermore.”

and then the chorus:

“Farther along, we’ll know all about it.

Farther along, we’ll understand why.

Cheer up my children, live in the sunlight.

We’ll understand it all by and by.”