I Could Not Call Her Mother.

I Could Not Call Her Mother.
490.5

The marriage rite was over,
And tho I turned aside
To keep the guests from seeing
The tears I could not hide.
I wreathed my face in smiles
And led my little brother
To greet my father’s chosen,
But I could not call her mother.

(Repeat the last two lines for refrain.)
She is a fair, young creature,
With a meek and gentle air.
With blue eyes, soft and loving.
And silken, sunny hair.
I know my father gives her
The love her bore another.
But if she were an angel
I could never call her mother.

Last night I heard her singing
A song I used to love
When its sweet notes were uttered
By one who sings above.
It pained my heart to hear it.
My tears I could not smother,
For every word was hallowed
By the sweet voice of my mother.

They have taken my mother’s picture
From its accustomed place.
And hung beside my father’s
A fairer, younger face.
They’ve made her dear old chamber
The boudoir of another,
But I never can forget yon.
My own, my angel mother.

My father in the sunshine
Of happy days to come
May not forget the shadow
That darkens our old home,
His heart is no more lonely.
But I and little brother
Must still be orphan still be orphan children.
God can give us but one mother.