Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
‘Wayfarers’ refers to travellers on the road of life. The nervous speaker wonders if he is alone in his doubts and troubles. It suggests that sharing the journey with others is in itself a comfort. The reassuring answer comes as always.
Up-hill