American Old Time Song Lyrics: 43 A Brothers Love The Vagrant Son
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 43
A BROTHER'S LOVE(The Vagrant Son)
Copyright, 1894, by The S. Brainard's Sons Co.
Words by Harry C. Clyde. Music by H. C. Verner.
A tramp once told the tale to me that I'll relate to you.
He said, I've not been always thus, once better days I knew;
My home was in a mansion, where all things were of the best.
I had a darling sister then, with beauty she was blest;
I loved her but too fondly, for I sacrificed my home.
And heard my father's curses as he drove me forth to roam.
Chorus.
A poor and vagrant son, an outcast, wand'ring one
I bore my father's curse and roamed away;
'Tis for a sister's sake the scorn of man I takeĀThat's why I am without a home to-day.
My sister had a suitor, who had naught but love to give,
She cared for him with passion that was born to ever live;
And tempted by the love, alas, that knows no wrong or right,
From father's safe she took a sum to aid them in their flight.
'Twas I who caught them in the theft at silent midnight time,
'Twas I who saw them both escape and leave their mark of crime.-Chorus.
I heard my father's footstep coming from the room above-
She was my sister, and no tongue could ever fell my love:
My only thought was how to save her name from such disgrace,
And though, from that day unto this, I've never ma her face,
I let my father think that I had been the guilty thief;
He drove me forth, a vagrant son, to life of shame and grief.- Chorus.