Don't be cruel to the motherless darlings!
Henry Clay Work
1.
The sun that sank just now beyond
those calm waters Shines not for me;
The sun that will tomorrow gild
yonder mountain I shall not see.
Faint forms draw near, and seem to
beckon, beckon;
"Come now!" sweet voices seem to say;
And, but for thought of these my poor
little darlings, Glad I obey!
CHORUS:
I must let go each little hand;
I must leave all behind.
Oh! don't be cruel to the motherless
darlings; Don't be unkind!
2.
Since first I looked upon my
Delbert and Daisy --
Five years and three --
'Twas love and gentleness,
'twas ruling by kindness, Won them to me.
Harsh words will draw them
nearer never, never!
But love their hidden hearts will find.
Oh! don't be cruel to the motherless
darlings; Don't be unkind!
CHORUS
3.
'Twould break their little hearts if,
while in your keeping,
Love were withdrawn --
If, through your cold neglect,
they lose all their sunshine
When I am gone.
To this, my dying message, listen,
listen! Keep this, my last request,
in mind: Oh! don't be cruel to the
motherless darlings; Don' be unkind!
CHORUS
