|
FATHER, DEAR FATHER (FATHER, DEAR FATHER, COME HOME WITH ME NOW) Sung by: Dorothy Stuart Recorded in Banner, AR 8/27/63 Click here to listen to the original recording The clock in the steeple strikes one. You said you were coming right home from the shop, As soon as your day’s work was done. Our fire is all out, and our house is all dark, And Mother's set watching since tea. Poor brother Ben is so sick in her arms, And no one to help her but me.” Chorus: “Come home, come home, Please, Father--dear Father--come home.” Oh, hear the sweet voice of the child. The night winds repeat as they roam. Oh, who could resist this most painful prayer? “Please, Father--dear Father--come home.” “Please, Father--dear Father--come home with me now. The clock in the steeple strikes two. The night has grown colder and Ben is worse, And he has been calling for you. Indeed, he is worse; Mama says he will die, Perhaps before morning shall dawn, And this is the message she sends me to bring: ‘Come quickly, or he will be gone.’” (Chorus) “Please, Father--dear Father--come home with me now. The clock in the steeple strikes three. The night is so lonely, the hours are so long, With poor weeping Mother and me. Poor Ben, he is dead; oh, yes, he is dead. He’s gone with the angels of light, And these are the very last words that he said: ‘I want to kiss Papa goodnight.’” (Chorus) Also found in Randolph, Vol. II, #308, “Father, Dear Father, Come Home With Me Now”; Brown, Vol. III, #24, “Father, Dear Father, Come With Me Now.” |
|
All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |