American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 Just To See Mothers Face Once Again

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

Just to See Mother's Face Once Again.
Copyright, 1891, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Words and Music by Paul Dresser.

Last night I wandered back again to home I love so well,
how glad was I to see the dear old place;
My dear old father welcomed me, my brothers, sisters, too;
But sadly there I missed the dearest face;
It all came back to me just then, an evening long ago,
The saddest hour of grief and anguish I shall ever know;
I knelt down and I placed my hand upon her form of clay,
And promised I'd be good, for I was going far away.

Refrain.
If I owned the vessels that float on the sea,
If I owned each bush, each shrub,and each tree,
If I owned the birds that sing with such glee,
The mountains, hills, valleys and plains,
Each air castle fancied I'd gladly forget;
If I owned the treasures unearthed as yet,
I'd give them all up without sigh or regret.
Just to see mother's face once again.

At twilight when we knelt and father led in evening prayer.
And we responded to them soft and low;
The sweetest voice of all no longer mingled with the rest,
My heart ached, for I loved my mother so.
I never knew what sorrow was until she passed away;
Her picture hangs upon the wall, her hair turned slightly gray,
And everything seems much the same around the dear old place,
But still I'm always longing, for I miss my mother's face. -Refrain.

It changed and made a man of me, the once wild, wayward youth,
Who caused his mother many a heart-felt sigh;
I tried to keep my promise, and to-day I'm not ashamed
To look my fellowman right in the eye.
And when the tempter often comes, and I about to fall,
Hear something whisper in my ear, beware! beware! that's all.
It brings to mind a promise that I made and should hold dear,
'Tis then I know the spirit of my mother hovers near.-Refrain.