Songs of Long Ago
Deep in my heart I cherish memories of the past,
And think of happy moments that have flown away so fast;
I see again the old homestead and my mother dear
Seated by the fireside in her old armchair.
When the springtime flowers bloomed and sweet fragrance filled the air,
When the song of joyous birds made all the world seem fair,
She’d take me on her knee and in accent sweet and low,
She’d sing me many pretty songs—sweet songs of long ago.
When I left home and mother, I was but a lad,
To go and battle with the world, it made her poor heart sad;
The struggle was a hard one, ere I a fortune earned,
But mother dear had passed away when homeward I returned.
For what had been my struggle, and the money I had saved?
With all I could not call her back from the cold, cold grave.
The memory of my childhood days came back to me again,
I prayed to hear the old, old songs, but prayer was all in vain.