My Mother's Bible
My Mother's Bible
Original Text
George P. Morris, The Songs and Ballads of George P. Morris
(New York: Cady and Burgess, 1852): 38-40. Internet Archive
1This book is all that's left me now! --
2 Tears will unbidden start --
3With faltering lip and throbbing brow,
4 I press it to my heart.
5For many generations past.
6 Here is our family tree;
7My mother's hands this Bible clasped;
8 She, dying, gave it me.
9Ah! well do I remember those
10 Whose names these records bear:
11Who round the hearth-stone used to close
12 After the evening prayer.
13And speak of what these pages said,
14 In tones my heart would thrill!
15Though they are with the silent dead.
16 Here are they living still!
17My father read this holy book
18 To brothers, sisters dear;
19How calm was my poor mother's look
20 Who lean'd God's word to hear.
21Her angel face -- I see it yet!
22 What thronging memories come!
23Again that little group is met
24 Within the halls of home!
25Thou truest friend man ever knew.
26 Thy constancy I've tried;
27Where all were false I found thee true.
28 My counsellor and guide.
29The mines of earth no treasures give
30 That could this volume buy:
31In teaching me the way to live,
32 It taught me how to die.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire / Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2012
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