American Old Time Song Lyrics: 47 A Fatal Rehearsal

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

A FATAL REHEARSAL.
Copyright, 1894, by Joseph D. Ramos.
Words and Music by Joseph D. Ramos.

A father sat watching his children at play,
On the bench at the close of a hot summer's day,
Tag was their game, a boy and two girls;
Bis fav'rite, the youngest, with long golden curls,
As quietly reclining, his soul filled with joy,
Be watched the girls chase the mischievous young boy,
A smile on his face, so good and so kind,
These thoughts of the future then passed through his mind;

Chorus.
When she becomes a lady, my sweet little girl,
Will her face be half buried in soft, golden curls;
Will her cheek have a dimple, her eye be as bright?
Will she then be as happy as she is to-night.

Long years have passed by, the father is gray,
His fav'rite has married and is living away;
Fled from her home, an actor she wed;
The blow stunn'd the father, they thought he was dead;
Be hears a false story, the husband is bad;
Your child is unhappy, he'll soon drive her mad,
Then came through the mail a letter one day,
And when he had read it, he fainted away.

Chorus.
Father forgive me, for I've caused you pain;
Will you take your daughter to your heart again;
You know not how I've missed you, rather you were dead;
Oh, please come and see me, were the words he read.

Next morning, quite early, he's off for the train:
Bis dear child he would fold to his heart once again;
Soon at her home, he starts up the stair,
Bis ear then is pierced by a cry of despair.
Steps quickened by anger, be reaches the floor,
From whence came the cry, and breaks open the door;
Half crazy with rage, he kills with a chair
The man who was dragging his child by the hair.

Chorus.
Then down upon the floor fell the faithful young wife,
Kissing the dear, dead husband she loved more than life.
"Father," she moaned, "I'm dying; you've broken my heart;
Barry and I were only rehearsing our part."