The Dead Mother

SINCE you were tired and went away
We've brought you flowers every day,
Now through your grass live daisies peer
O mother, mother dear !

You used to listen every day
To everything we had to say;
But now we think you do not hear,
O mother, mother dear!

They say you are not very far,
But since we cry we know you are ;
We should not cry if you were near
O mother, mother dear !

Mother, you know we sometimes cry
In the dark night, we don't know why ;
You would not let us cry for fear,
O mother, mother dear !

We think perhaps you did not know
Your little children loved you so,
Or you would not have left them here,
O mother, mother dear !

If we are good we think that then
Perhaps you will come back again;
Come in a week — a month — a year,
O mother, mother dear !

O mother, mother, come to-day !
Why did you ever go away ?
We are so tired of being here
Without you, mother dear I