American Old Time Song Lyrics: 32 The Judgment Day

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 32

THE JUDGMENT DAY.
Copyright, 1891, by Frank Harding.
Words by W. C. Robey. Music by Will H. Fox.

Standing alone in the twilight, her old eyes are filling with tears,
Asking the old village postman for news she has not heard for years;
He hands her a strange, foreign letter, she clutches the missive with joy;
Her hands with emotion are trembling, the writing is that of her boy.
She opens the half-broken letter, afraid that one word she might lose.
And, oh, how she's anxiously waited and longed for her present bright news;
The top line begins, "Dearest mother," but what is that feeling of dread?
She glances at once at its contents, for these are the words that it said:

Chorus.
I promised to write to you when out in a foreign land,
Oh, for one look of thine own sweet face, one touch of a mother's hand;
Think of me kindly at home, I've prayed for you night and day,
Mother forgive your wayward boy, we'll meet on the judgment day.

Ten years ago in the springtime, he went o'er the ocean to roam.
He carried his mother's good wishes, and promised he'd soon return home;
His young heart was filled with adventure, his spirit was seldom at rest,
He knew we were pressed by misfortune, he longed for the gold in the West.
He toiled like a slave through each season, quite anxious to add to his store.
Bright visions of home gave him comfort, fatigue he unflinchingly bore;
One night he was struck down by fever, his letter was cent o'er the wave.
And all that remaine of her darling now lies in a lone Western grave.-Chorus.

The cottage has long since been empty, she's finished her mission of love,
They found her still grasping his letter, her maker had called her above;
They laid her to rest in the churchyard one morning mid silence of gloom.
And carved the last words of her loved one, in stone, at the head of her tomb.
She's waiting the archangel summons, her spirit is hoping once more
To see the bright face that she cherished, and meet on a happier shore;
He told her in life he would meet her, although in a land far away,
Let's hope nevermore they'll be parted, but join on the great judgment day.-Cho.