He asked his cell-mate, in a whisper,
"Do you think the end is drawing near?"
"If I should die before I see them
Tell them how I longed tonight
To have my mother's blessed care
To leave this world of sin and strife."
Oh! how he longed to see his mother
And the cottage on the hill—
"God bless them all," I heard him whisper,
As with tears his eyes did fill.
"Will they think of me—a prisoner—
I, who was once their pride and joy?
While I sleep in the churchyard yonder
Will they think of their wayward boy?
"I know I've caused them lots of trouble
In wild and reckless boyish day,
But I hope that God will now forgive me
When from this earth I'm called away.
"I know it broke my mother's heart
When she heard of me, her wayward son,