American Old Time Song Lyrics: 14 The Old Red Cradle

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 14

THE OLD RED CRADLE.
Copyright, 1885, by Chas. D. Blake & Co.

Take me back to the days when the old red cradle rocked,
In the sunshine of years that have fled;
To the good, old, trusty days when the door was never locked,
And we judged our neighbor's truth by what he said.
I remember of my years, I had numbered almost seven,
And the old red cradle stood against the wall;
I was youngest of the five, and two were gone to heaven,
But the old red cradle rocked us all.

Chorus.
Rocking, rocking, gently rocking.
In time with the tick of the clock on the wall;
One by one the seconds marking,
The old red cradle rocked us all.

By its side father paused, with a little time to spare.
And the care lines would soften on his brow;
Ah! 'twas but a little while that I knew a father's care.
But I fancy in my dreams I see him now.
And if e'er there came a day when my cheeks were flushed and hot,
When I did not mind my porridge or ray play:
I would clamber up its side, and the pain would be forgot.
When the old red cradle rocked away.-Chorus.

Aye! it cradled one and all, brothers and sisters in it lay.
And it gave me the sweetest rest I've known;
But to-night the tears will flow, and I let them have their way.
For the passing years are leaving me alone.
By my mother it was rocked when the evening meal was laid.
And again I seem to see her as she smiled;
When the rest were all in bed, 'twas then she knelt and prayed.
By the old red cradle And her child.-Chorus.