'Twas on a cold December day,

voiceSung by Mrs. T.M. Davis Fayetteville, Ark. November 30, 1953 Reel 169 Item 7 The Wind through the Broken Pane 'Twas on a cold December day, The eve of a Christmas morn, The time when old and young remember That Christ inthe manger was born. While the world rejoiced there were hearts that suffered, In a hut so poor in frame, And the snow on the wings of the wind was carried Through the crack in the broken pane. With no eyes to see and no heart to pity Where cold and hunger reign, And the howling winds they knew no mercy, Drove the snow through the broken pane. In the cold bare room of that lonely cottage, While darkness around them crept, A wife and child sat list'ning, waiting, For a drunkard's tottering step. 'Twas just ten years since before the altar They read the sacred vows, 'Twas a happy home, but soon there followed The snow through the broken pane. With no eyes to see and no heart to pity, Where cold and hunger reign, And the howling winds that knew no mercy Drove the snow through the broken pane. "Don't cry, dear Mamma," came a whisper, Cause I know you're not to blame; I am warmer Warms the wind through the broken pane." When the sun came up on that Christmas morning, To shine on the earth once more, A drunkard's family lay half-buried And frozen in the drifted snow. With no eyes to see and no hearts to pity, Where cold and hunger reign, And the howling winds that know no mercy Drove the snow through the broken pane. Coll. by M.C. ParlerFunding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation