Classic Poem

1.

There was a woman lived in Ardell,
And babies, she had three;
She sent them away to the North country
To learn their granerlee.

2.

They had not been gone two week —
I am sure it was not three —
Till old grim Death come knocking at the door,
And tuck these babies away.

3.

When their mother heard of that,
She wrung her hands full sore;
" Alas! alas! " their mother said,
" I will see my babes no more. "

4.

" There is a King in Heaven, I know,
Who I know wears a crown.
" Oh, pray, Lord, do send my babies down. "

5.

Christmas time was drawing near;
The night drew long and cold;
These three babies come running down the hill,
Into their mother's hall.

6.

The table was spread with bread and wine;
" Come, eat and drink, my sweet little babies,
Come, eat and drink, it is mine. "

7.

" I do not want your bread, dear mare,
Or neither want your wine,
For yander stands our Saviour dear,
And to Him we now must go. "

8.

She put them in the back room to sleep,
Spread over with clean sheet,
And over the top spread a golden sheet,
To make them venture sleep.

9.

" Wake up, wake up, " said the oldest one,
" The chickens will soon crow for day,
And yander stands our Saviour dear,
And to Him we now must go.

10.

" Farewell, dear father, farewell, dear mother,
Farewell to Aunt Kate and Kane,
For yander stands our Saviour dear,
And to Him we now must remain. "