American Old Time Song Lyrics: 04 What The Old Cock Sparrow Said

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 4

What the Old Cock-Sparrow Said.
Copyright, 1878, by E. H. Harding.

Upon a Summer's night, the moon was shining bright,
I rambled thro' the outskirts of the town,
To enjoy the ev'ning breeze, surging thro' the maple trees,
As 'neath their leafy boughs I sat me down;
When a fluttering in the air, as of birds assembled there,
Did cause me up above to raise my eyes,
And I heard a chirping sound, giving maxims so profound,
Brigh , words of wisdom from the starlit skies;
An old cock-sparrow spoke, with age his feathers broke,
Unto fifty sparrows gather'd o'er my head,
His sage experience told noble proverbs true as gold,
And this was what the old cock-sparrow said-

Always give a helping hand to misfortune in the land;
Treat not with scorn the broken-hearted man.
Who fought his battle well, yet weak in the struggle fell,
And down the hill of ruin swiftly ran;
If you see the child of sin deep in sorrow's gulf plung in,
Extend the hand of welcome, ere too late;
A word, if kindly spoke, oft has shame's dark fetters broke,
And led the outcast to the golden gate;
At him, who smiles, beware, and can preach when you despai
Will give advice but not a loaf of bread;
Will at i our follies rave, when a crust your life would save;
Beware of him, the old cock-sparrow said.

The convict in his cell, tho' from rectitude he fell,
A spark of honor may live in his heart;
Then raise him from the slime of a past and by-gone time,
And in the race of life give him a start;
If he fails to win his race it is but his own disgrace,
You have done to him as you would be done by;
Repeat the same once more if you save one in a score-
A soul redeemed is welcom'd most on high;
Remember what I say when so swift you fly away,
Upon poor downcast manhood never tread;
As he in the gutter lies, help him quickly to arise-
Was the last thing that the old cock-sparrow said.