As she lay upon her sick bed, Ere the spark of life had flown, Neighbors called, and strangers also, Whom before she had not known.
They had heard of her misfortune, Day and night she lingered there; And to make her life more cheerful Seemed to be their every care.
Now they come, with noiseless footsteps, As the rose is kissed with dew, Each one bringing in some sunshine, In "these flowers I've brought for you."
As she looked into their faces, Realizing death had come, "Take these flowers," she said, "I'm dying," They will brighten other homes.
Take them, give them to the children Who in orphans' homes are found, Who have parents silent sleeping Underneath some grassy mound.
Take them, place them by the bedside Of some one whose life is drear; They will bring a ray of sunshine, They will drive away a tear.
Take them, bear them to the prison, Where the trembling convict stands; They'll encourage and they'll cheer him, And they'll help him be a man.
They will speak to him of Heaven, Of a home with God above; They'll dispel the gloom and heartache, They'll recall a mother's love.
They'll remind him of a sister, With youth's bloom upon her brow, With whom he used to gather flowers When life was bright as yours is now.
They'll recall some little sweetheart In the early spring of life, Who, when summer flowers were blooming, He had asked to be his wife.