They tell me, Father, that tonight

voiceCollected by Max Hunter (H-9) For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Mrs. Ethel Hunter Springfield, Missouri June 29, 1958 Reel 251-52, Item 11 The Blind Child's Prayer They tell me, Father, that tonight You wed another bride, That you will clasp her in your arms Where my poor mother died. That she will lay her stately head Upon your manly breast, Where one who now lies low in death In life's last hours did rest. They say her name is Mary, too. The name my mother bore; But,Father, is she kind and true Like the one you loved before? And is her step as soft and light, Her voice so meek and mild? And, then, oh Father, will she love Your blind and helpless child? Please, Father, do not bid me come To greet your lovely bride; I could not meet her in the room Where my dear mother died. Her pictures hanging on the wall, Her books are lying there, And there's the harp that her fingers touched And there's her vacant chair. The chair whereby her side I knelt To say my evening prayer. Oh, Father, it would break my heart, I could not meet her there. But when I cried myself to sleep Then softly to my chambers creep My new mamma and you.. The Blind Child's Prayer (Cont'd) Reel 251-52, Item 11 (Cont'd) And bid her gently press a kiss Upon my throbbing brow, Just as my own dear mother did— Father, you're weeping now. Now let me kneel down by your side, And to the Saviour pray That's God's right hand may lead you through Life's dark dreary way. The prayer was uttered, and she said, Papa, I'm weary now; He gently raised her in his arms And laid her on the bed. Then as he turned to leave the room, One joyful cry was given; He turned to catch the last sweet smile, But the blind child was in heaven. They laid her by her mother's side And raised a marble fair, And on it's engraved these simple words, "There'll be no blind ones there."Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation