In the song "At Last," Paul Hamilton Hayne reflects on his changing perspective on death as he has grown older. In his youth, he dismissed death and even made jokes about it, believing it to be nothing to fear. However, as he has aged, he has become more solemn and serious about the concept of death. He now sees death as a haunting and eerie presence that lingers in everyday life, casting a shadow over everything. The song explores the idea of mortality and the fear of the unknown, as well as the ultimate realization that death may not be as fearsome as it seems. Hayne describes death as a "masked and hideous form," but ultimately believes that at the moment of passing, death reveals a smile as the "high-priest of Immortality." The song captures the universal human experience of grappling with the concept of death and ultimately coming to terms with it. It reminds us that while death may seem mysterious and frightening, there is also the possibility of something beyond it, an "Immortality" that brings a sense of peace and comfort.
