American Old Time Song Lyrics: 59 She Is More To Be Pitied Than Censured

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 59

SHE IS MORE TO BE PITIED THAN CENSURED.
Copyright. 1898. by Wm. B Gray
Words and Music by Wm. B. Gray

At the old concert hall on the Bow'ry,
Round a table were seated, one night,
A crowd of young fellows carousing,
With them life seemed cheerful and bright,
At the very next table was seated
A girl who had fallen to shame;
All the young fellows jeered at her weakness,
Till they heard an old woman exclaim:

Chorus.
She is more to be pitied than censured.
She is more to be helped than despised;
She is only a lassie who ventured
On life's stormy path, Ill-advised;
Do not scorn her with words fierce and bitter,
Do not laugh at her shame and downfall.
For a moment just stop and consider
That a man was the cause of it all.

There's an old-fashioned church 'round the corner,
Where the neighbors all gathered one day,
While the parson was preaching a sermon
O'er a soul that had just passed away,
'Twas this same wayward girl from the Bow'ry.
Who a life of adventure had led -
Did the clergyman jeer at her downfall?
No, he asked for God's mercy and said:- Chorus.