Love thy mother, little one,
Love her earnestly;
Gaze into her eyes, and see there—
All that thou couldst hope to be there—
Warmest love for thee!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her earnestly!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her fervently;
By thy couch she kneeleth nightly,
And, with hands enclaspéd tightly,
Prayeth, love, for thee!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her fervently!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her tenderly;
Clasp thy little arms around her,
For a holy tie hath bound her—
Bound her close to thee!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her tenderly!