The boy’s fever was high—he calls in his pain,
Oh, papa, dear, papa, come kiss me again.
The door softly opens, a lov’d voice in the hall,
In his arms he clasps her, his best friend, his all.
Years have passed; yes, truly, they are happy now;
The glad days of youth are gone, somehow,
But on her face a sweet smile is lingering there,
And sweet contentment is found everywhere.
And Charlie has grown to be straight and tall;
And Min’s little one, the youngest of all,
Lies in his crib, such a sweet little lad
That is watched over happily by grandma and grand-dad.
Mother.
Mother, you nursed me at your breast,
And gave of yourself, your very best;
Your anxiety, care and watchful nights,
When all was still you would turn on the lights
To see I was snugly covered in bed
Long after my little prayers were said.
When I went to school you would help me so much,
When my lessons were hard—but your soft touch
Would ease it all, for I leaned on your word,
It was always the dearest I ever have heard;
My heart beats fast, when I think how dear
You always were to your children here.
Truth and obedience was always your aim,
Mother, mother, how fair is your name;
How grateful I am I can scarcely say,
Though you are gone away, far away,
Singing the Miserere, I still see you there,
Rocking your child with tenderest care.
Mother love is strong, many a sorrow, many a tear;
When all else fails, her love is still there;
And she’ll go to the end of the earth for you.
So noble, so gentle—none kinder and true;
Yes, you were my first friend—why should I not love
To pray for your soul that is called above.
Ascension Day.
We sailed away one fair March day,
From Norway’s shore so far away
To a new land; our hopes were high;
Oh, what have we done; oh, my; oh, my;
Left father and mother and dear friends on shore,
Perhaps never to see them more.
We sailed and sailed many miles over the sea,
And prayed God to protect my children and me.