I had a mother once, like you,
To keep me by her side:
She cherish'd me and lov'd me too;
But soon, alas! she died:
Now sorrowful and full of care,
I'm lone and weary every where.
My father was not kind to me,
He went away from home;
I long'd again his face to see,
But he would never come:
Before he died he would be found
Sleeping upon the naked ground.
I must not weep and break my heart,
They tell me not to grieve:
Sometimes I wish I could depart,
And find a peaceful grave:
They say such sorrows never come
To those who slumber in the tomb.
'Twas thus a little orphan sung,
Her lonely heart to cheer;
Before she wander'd very long,
She found a Savior near:
He bade her seek his smiling face
And find in heav'n a dwelling place.
THE ORPHAN.
[[Listen]]
O, if I were a robin,
I'd soon be on the wing,
I'd leave my sighs and sobbin'
And sweetly I would sing;
And early in each morning
I'd fly from tree to tree;
And going and returning
What pretty things I'd see?
But now I am so lonely,
I know not where to stay,
My little brother only
Is with me day by day:
My mother dear was crying
When father lay so low:
When she herself was dying—
I know not what to do.