With smile to bless, and kindly word to cheer.
Ah, mother, life is but a thorny way;
When longest, ’tis at best a little day;
A gleam of sunshine, and anon a cloud,
The bridal robe, soon followed by the shroud.
Dear mother, sadness fills my sleepless eye,
And tears fast follow the unconscious sigh,
But still the heart, o’erwhelmed with heavy grief,
In thought of thee, dear mother, finds relief.
Dear mother, be thou still the watchful guide,