Title: American Old Time Song Lyrics
Subject: Traditional & Folk Music
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Old time music, American, oldtimey, bluegrass

You'd Better Stay At Home, Lad - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
You'd Better Stay at Home, Lad. Copyright, MM. by M. Witmark & Sons. Written and Composed by Chas. Graham. 
The day was bright and fair In May, the harbor white with sails And stately ships were sailing out to sea; A fair-haired boy upon the shore looked on with wistful eyes, A sailor in his heart he longed to be; An old tar who was passing saw the lad and read his thoughts, And so he stopped to greet him on the way, "How can I go to sea, sir" at last the youngster said, And this is what the old tar had to say: 
Chorus. "You'd better stay at home, lad, until you taller grow; You say you like the sea, lad, you're not old enough to know; The sea's not always bright and blue, the weather always fair; You'd better stay at home awhile your happiest days are there." 
'Twas on a day like this, my lad, I ran away to sea; I knew not what the future had in store; Like you, my lad, the present was the only time for me. But now my cup of sorrow's brimming o'er; Now perhaps you have a mother, lad, as I had long ago; And perhaps, like mine, she would not from you part; Your maiden voyage over-too late, too late you'll know Your mother's gone, and you, lad, broke her heart. 
Chorus. "You'd better stay at home, lad," the youngster heard him say; "You won't find fame and riches for many and many a day; You'll leave sad hearts behind you, lad. and many bitter tears; You'd better stay at home awhile and wait a few more years."