American Old Time Song Lyrics: 47 A Distressed Home Made Happy

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 47

A Distressed Home Made Happy.
Copyright. 1894. by Jas. Horton.
Words and Music by Joe Welch.

There is a family tenement on the east side of this town;
There lived a happy family until poverty broke them down;
Consisting of three children, and a widow, who is old,
Who sold every thing of value to keep up the household;
Misfortune seemed to be with them, they tried every thing in vain;
The landlord demands his month's rent, or says they can't remain;
But one son is there who'll support, who now lies ill in bed;
They seem to be contented, but a dispossess they dread.

Chorus.
Now they are friendless, and no one they know;
Though when they were wealthy their money did flow;
There is trouble began when their poor father died.
And though they have fallen, they always kept pride.

Their dreary days were still goin' on, a knock came at the door;
It was a friend they had not seen since happy days of yore;
He come to pay a visit, though once in many years:
When he heard of their misfortune it brought to his eyes tears;
He listened to the story that the poor old woman told.
Then placed some money in her hand, which was 50 pounds in gold;
He promised he would pay the rent and to all her debts would see;
The time had come when fate would change and happy make them be.

Chorus.
Now they're contented, their trouble is o'er;
When sickness come o'er them their troubles they bore;
There is nothing to fear then while dear friend lives,
Who saves them from poverty and a distressed home.