American Old Time Song Lyrics: 19 Remember, You Have Children Of Your Own
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 19
REMEMBER, YOU HAVE CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN.
In your path thro' life each day,
You will meet upon the way,
Fellow mortals upon whom this world doth frown,
Who from poverty or crime,
Have fallen in their time,
Or by circumstances crush'd and stricken down;
Young men with blighted names,
Who once had noble aims;
Young girls with shame and sorrow on their brow,
Whom a kindly word might save
From a dark, dishonor'd grave,
While a cruel one would drive to madness now.
They were once to someone dear,
So don't pass them with a sneer,
But speak a kindly word in cheering tone;
You know not what's in store
For the loved ones you adore;
Remember, you have children of your own.
The shop-girls on the street,
"With as much respect should meet
As the millionaire, who in his carriage rolls,
And the honest laboring man,
With his strong and horny hand-
They too have hearts and feelings, yes, and souls;
And the wretched drunkard, too,
Who perhaps was once like you,
Respected and beloved by one and all,
Though no doubt from care and strife,
Or some sorrow of his life,
Has fallen, but not quite beyond recall.
And the poor outcast forlorn,
Don't pass her by with scorn,
But speak unto her with a gentle tone;
Perhaps she's not to blame
For her life of sin and shame-
Remember, you have children of your own.
Don't despise the wretched poor,
Who, perhaps, grim want may lure
To steal the bread their starving children crave:
Be not the one to blame,
You yourself would do the same,
With starvation at your door, you'd dare the grave;
Their family is as dear
To them as any here,
Tho' their clothes may be all ragged, torn and old;
Dejected and forlorn.
Yet still their hearts are warm,
Tho' they lack the rich man's cheerful home and gold.
They are all to some one dear,
So don't pass them with a sneer.
But speak a kindly word in cheering tone;
You know not what's in store
For the lov'd ones you adore-
Remember, you have children of your own.