American Old Time Song Lyrics: 44 The Mystery Of The Village

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 44

The Mystery of the Village.
Copyright, 1894, by The New York Music Co.
Words and Mu¯ic by Gussie L. Davis.

A quiet eastern village, a preacher old and gray,
A stranger standing at the door just at the close of day,
Who asked for information of folks who once lived there.
The preacher told the story sad, which filled him with despair:
He said, "The old man that you seek, for five years has been dead,
His wife has to the poor-house gone, for shelter and for bread.
They owed a mortgage on the farm, 'twas more than they could pay.
The farm was sold, that broke their hearts, the old man died next day.

Chorus.
'Twas the myst'ry of the village, and the saddest tale I know.
A home was wrecked, two hearts were broken, 'twas an awful blow;
Although strangers now dwell in their home since the old man's laid away,
'Tho his wife has to the poor-house gone, she has not gone to stay.

The man that closed the mortgage was robbed that very night,
The village people tried in vain to bring the truth to light.
As time rolled by the people forgot the sad affair,
A package for the poor-house came, sent in the preacher's care.
A letter read, "Kind sir, give this to mother dear, for me,
'Tis from her only boy, a sailor dying o'er the sea."
'Twas wealth to keep her all through life, and filled her heart with joy,
She left the poor-house when she read the message from her boy.

Chorus.
Twas the myst'ry of the village, and that mother'll never know
Her boy had robbed the man that closed the mortgage long ago.
And perhaps it was an awful crime that dreadful step to take,
But at judgment day he may be forgiv'n, it was for mother's sake.