Collected 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."