Home songs for little darlings
None
, 1 IP • • • ' • '- 11 >* -s X &+e**fy fc< ' • ' - '• In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be passed ; That I may give for every day S-.unc good account at last." ante LITTLE DARLINGS. As years make us wiser or prouder, Wh.-it innocent pleasures we miss ; The rattles of lifr may be louder. But are not go harmless as this. BOSTON: T. O. H. P. BURN HAM 143 WASHINGTON STREKT. 1863. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S59. by MAYHEW AND BAKEK. In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY n. o. HOCOUTON. ome §01153 for Jtttle Darlings. WILLIE'S BIRTHDAY. THOU wakest from rosy sleep to play With bounding heart, my boy ! Beyond thee lies a long bright day Of summer and of joy. Thou hast no heavy thought or dream To cloud thy fearless eye ; Long be it thus — life's early stream Should still reflect the sky. 2207306 i HOME SONGS FOR Let ere the cares of life lie dim On thy young spirit's wings, Now in thy morn forget not him From whom each pure thought springs : So in the onward vale of tears, Where'er thy path may be, When strength hath bowed to evil years, He will remember thee. Hemans. MORNING PRAYER. GREAT God, who dwells in heaven above, I humbly kneel to thee, To thank thee for the care and love Which thou dost show to me. When in the early morn I rise To see another day, From thy commands so good and wise, Let not my footsteps stray. And bless my parents, good and dear, Teach me to grateful be, For all the kind and watchful care They lavish upon me. LITTLE DARLINGS. Oh, keep my feet in virtue's paths, As through this world I move, That I at last may sit with thee, In thy bright realms above. ROBIN REDBREAST. WHEN the fields are white with snow, And the frosty breezes blow, Pretty Robin Redbreast comes, Watching for the children's crumbs. Crimson breast and diamond eye, In 'he hops, both bold and shy; With a timid, gentle glance, Eyes the children all askance. • Pretty Robin, dread no flftrm ! Statt not off in vain alarm ! See, he pecks the crumbs so sweet, Grateful for the warm retreat. Who has never dropt a tear O'er the tale of children dear, In. the wood who dying lay, Led by cruel men astray ; 10 HOME SONGS FOR And how Robin Redbreast there Spread with leaves the hapless pair ! — Hence each young and tender breast Loves of birds the Robin best. THE PONY RIDE. PRETTY lady, mount and go ! Saddle, bridle, all is ready, And the pony's glances show, He is proud to bear his lady. Caesar barks with honest glee, All impatient for a scamper ; Down the road or o'er the lea Off he '11 bound before the tramper. Trot or amble, safe and sure, Pony ne'er will start or stumble ; Over holt or hill secure, Mount and go, nor fear a tumble. Pony well deserves your care, Corn and hay to fill his manger ; Well he knows his mistress fair, Knows her voice from any stranger. LITTLE DARLINGS. 13 MY LITTLE SISTER. 0 MOTHER, look at baby, See how she jumps and crows ; That 't is her little sister I really think she knows. And do you think she loves me And wants me by her side, To gather up her playthings, And teach her how to ride, 14 HOME SONGS FOB And place her in her cradle AVhen she wants to go to sleep, To rock it softly when she stirs, And by its side to keep ? I'm sure I love her dearly, And hope that she will me, When she comes to know more clearly How dear she is to me. And every night to God I'll pray, On his bright throne above, To make me dear to baby, And worthy of her love. THE CHORUS OF FROGS. " YAUP, yanp, yanp," Said the croaking voice of a Frog : " A rainy day, In the month of May, And plenty of room in the bog." " Yaup, yanp, yaup," Said the Frog, as he hopped away :. " The insects feed On the floating weed, And I 'm hungry for dinner to-day.'' LITTLE DARLINGS. 15 " Yaup, yaup, yaup," Said the Frog, as it splashed about : " Good neighbors alj, When you hear me call, It is odd that you do not come out." " Yaup, yaup, yaup," Said the frogs ; " it is charming weather , "We'll come and sup When the moon is up, And we '11 all of us croak together." THE RECONCILEMENT. Two brothers once fell out at play, As little boys will do, "Whose parents reconciled the fray By gentle means and true. No threats severe they vainly try. No angry word or blow, But kind entreaties thus apply, From loving lips that flow : — " Dear children, join your hands i:i love, And he that' first shall smile, 16 HOME SOU^S FOB A noble boy himself will prove, Above revenge or guile. " And oh ! while blest with life and light, Let not the sun go down On angry breasts that brawl and fight, Or sullen brows that frown. " Most lovely is the home of love, Where peace and pleasure dwell, Fit emblems of the realms above, Where no fierce tumults swell." THE GOLDEN RULE. To do to all men as I would That they should do to me, Will make me kind, and just, and good, And so I '11 try to be. RICH AND POOR. OUR country house at Christmas time, It was a pleasant sight, The holly hung in every room, The fires were blazing bright ; As the snow-clad hills around Came down the winter night. LITTLE DARLINGS. 17 My little brother George and I, Stood watching at the door, To see our uncle's carriage come, And greet our cousins four ; When a poor hungry boy came near That only tatters wore. He told how, once, his father toiled, But now was with the dead, That there was sickness in his home, And bitter want of bread. We gave him all our hoarded pence For the sad words he said. But when our cousins came at last, And there was mirth to see, The gilded gifts, and pretty toys, Hung on our Christmas tree ; I told my mother of the boy, And thus she said to me : — - " So much the more we owe to God, For all that he hath given, A ready mind to help the hands That sore with want have striven, Since they that are the poor on earth May be the rich in heaven." 2 18 HOME SONGS FOB PEASANT'S EVENING SONG. COME to the sunset tree ! The day is past and gone ; The woodman's axe lies free, And the reaper's work is done. The twilight star to heaven And the summer dew to flowers, And rest to us is given By the cool soft evening hours. LITTLE DARLINGS. 19 Sweet is the hour of rest ; Pleasant the wind's low sigh ; And the gleaming of the west, And the turf whereon we lie. When the burden and the heat Of labor's task are o'er, And kindly voices greet The tired one at his door. Come to the sunset tree ! The day is past and gone ; The woodman's axe lies free, And the reaper's work is done. Yes ; tuneful is the sound That dwells in whispering boughs ; Welcome the freshness round, And the gale that fans our brows. But rest more sweet and still Than ever nightfall gave, Our yearning hearts shall fill In the world beyond the grave. There shall no tempest blow, Nor scorching noontide heat ; 20 HOME SONGS FOB There shall be no more snow To weary, wandering feet. So we lift our trusting eyes From the hills our fathers trod, To the quiet of the skies, To the Sabbath of our God. Come to the sunset tree ! The day is past and gone ; The woodman's axe lies free, And the reaper's work is done. Mrs. Hcmans. THE CLOCKING HEN. " WILL you take a walk with me, My little wife, to-day ? There 's barley in the barley field, And hayseed in the hay." " Thank you," said the clocking hen, " I Ve something else to do • I 'm busy sitting on my eggs, I cannot walk with you." LITTLE DARLINGS. 21 " Clock, clock, clock, clock," Said the clocking hen ; " My little chicks will soon be hatched, " I '11 think about it then." The clocking-hen sat on her nest, She made it in the hay ; And warm and snug beneath her breast, A dozen white eggs lay. Crack, crack, went all the eggs, Out dropt the chickens small ; " Clock," said the clocking hen, " Now I have you all." " Come along, my little chicks, I '11 take a walk with you ; " Hallo," said the barn-door cock. " Cock-a-doodle-doo." GOING TO BED. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep ; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. 22 HOME SONGS FOR HONESTY. WITH honest heart go on your way, Down to your burial sod, And never for a moment stray Beyond the path of God. Then like a happy pilgrim here, O'er pleasant meadow going, You '11 reach the bank without a fear, "Where death's chill stream is flowing. And every thing along your way In colors bright shall shine ; The water from the jug of clay Shall taste like costly wine ! Then cherish faith and honesty Down to your burial clod, And never for a moment stray Beyond the path of God. Your sons and grandsons to your tomb Shall come, their tears to shed ; And from their tears sweet flowers shall bloom, Above your sleeping head ! From the German. LITTLE DARLINGS. 23 THE CHILD AND THE LAMB. MY pretty lamb, with snowy fleece, With low and tender bleat, And feet that o'er the daisies fly So soundless and so fleet. To meet me when I come in sight, Through sunshine or through showers ; How merry you and I have been Among the meadow flowers. I never found you cross or tired, The whole long summer day ; I never knew you leave my side, Nor yet refuse to play. There 's none of all my "schoolfellows That love me now like you ; And I had many a pet before, But none that seemed so true. They brought me in a robin once That had a broken wing ; I nursed him all the winter, but He flew away in spring. The next, it was a lovely squirrel, So full of tricks and fun, But he left me in the wood one day, At the setting of the sun. 24 HOME SONGS FOR You will not leave me too, my lamb ; But sometimes in my sleep I grieve to dream that you have grown An old and quiet sheep ; That only minds the grass all day, And never lifts its eyes, Like all your friends in yonder field, So woolly and so wise. Thus talked poor Lucy, to her lamb, With arms about it twined, Till her good father passed and spoke To her in words as kind : LITTLE DARLINGS. 25 " So must niy little rosy girl, That now so blithely plays, From childhood grow to woman's cares, To woman's works and ways. " A world of hopes and fears, beyond Her early playmate's lot, Awaits my Lucy, when her sports And pets are all forgot. Yet may she still its innocence, Her fair example hold, And live a meek and guileless lamb In our good Shepherd's fold." THE ROOKS. THE Rooks are building on the trees, They build there every spring ; " Caw, caw," is all they say, For none of them can sing. They 're up before the break of day, And up till late at night ; For they must labor busily As long as it is light. And many a crooked stick they "bring, And many a slender twig, 26 HOME SONGS FOR And many a tuft of moss, until Their nests are round and big. " Caw, caw." Oh, what a noise They make in rainy weather ! Good children always speak by turns, But Rooks all talk together. How many nests are on the trees, And up at what a height ! There are a thousand Rooks, and yet I never saw them fight ; For they are friendly birds, and each Is to his neighbors known : . They never touch each other's things, But let them all alone. I wonder if we ever heard Of little girls and boys "Who quarrelled more than Rooks, and made A more unpleasant noise ? I wonder if we ever heard Of children who would touch The things they ought to let alone — I wonder very much ? LITTLE DARLINGS. 27 HUSH, MY BABE. HUSH, my babe, lie still and slumber ; Holy angels guard thy bed ; Heavenly blessings without number, Gently falling on thy head. Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, House and home, thy friends provide ; All without thy care or payment, All thy wants are well supplied. See the lovely babe a dressing ; Lovely infant, how he smiled : When he wept, the mother's blessing Soothed and hushed the holy Child. Lo, he srumbers in the manger, "Where the horned oxen fed ! Peace, my darling, here 's no danger, There 's no oxen near thy bed. 'T was to save thee, child, from dying, Save my dear from burning flame, Bitter groans and endless crying, That thy blest Redeemer came. 28 HOME SONGS FOR May'st thou live to know and fear him, Trust and love him all thy days ; Then go dwell forever near him, See his face and sing his praise. I could give thee thousand kisses, Hoping what I most desire ; Not a mother's fondest wishes Can to greater joys aspire. Dr. Watts, THE FIRST WALK. A WONDROUS venture it must be, My trembling little one, for thee To trust thy feeble feet Upon this hard old earth of ours ; And thou hast summoned all thy powers The mighty task to meet. There's caution in that look of thine And in the hand that clings to mine, With clasp so keen and small ; Yet thou wilt learn to jump and run Through the green meadows in the sun, And never fear a fall. LITTLE DARLINGS. 29 These are thy faint first steps in life, And though they seem with danger rife, The peril is not there ; But in thine after goings, child ! — For oh this world is wide and wild, And much more false tlian fair ! \ I cannot tell what stranger shore These timid feet may journey o'er — What desert bleak and broad ; But I can truly hope and pray That thou may'st walk in wisdom's way, And humbly with thy God. SUMMER. THE sky is bright above, The lake is bright below ; The boatmen sail on merrily, All singing as they go. The corn is ripening in the field, The fruit upon the bough, The spring time gay has passed away, And it is summer now. 30 HOME SONGS FOB GATHERING WILD FLOWERS. THEY were blithe times with us when the sum- mer had come, "With the nightingale's song, and the honey- bee's hum, With lilies, and roses, and long sunny hours, And holiday goings to gather wild flowers. "We went all together, one bright afternoon, When warm on the woods lay the sunlight of June, And up in the sky was a blueness, as clear As if not a cloud had been there all the year. LITTLE DAELINGS. 31 Old grandmother went with her staff in her hand, She said, " To see summer once more in the land ; " While good uncle William walked cheerfully by, And, we had such baskets, my sister and I 'T was sweet in the meadows, 't was sweet in the woods, And great was our gathering of blossoms and buds, By the banks of bright streams, by the roots of old trees, . __ Where nestled the wild birds, and feasted the bees. Then home with light hearts and full baskets we sped, When sunset was tinging the old church with red, But paused at our gate to look back on the view, How rich in the gold of the evening it grew. And grandmother said, as she gazed on the With thoughts of her seventy long summers gone by, 32 HOME SONGS FOR " What glory must gladden that good land of ours, When this earth is so fair in the time of wild flowers!" TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR. TWINKLE, twinkle, little star ; How I wonder what you are ! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the glorious sun is set, When the grass with dew is wet, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep ; For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveller in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. LITTLE DAELINGS, THE CUCKOO. AND so you have come back again, And it was you I heard Proclaiming it to all the world — You most conceited bird. You talked of nothing but yourself When you were here before, Until your voice became so hoarse That you could talk no more. And now you fly from bush to bush, And say " Cuckoo, cuckoo." Have you no friends to care about ? No useful work to do ? I hear you 're such a lazy bird, You cannot build a nest ; Perhaps you could, if you would try- We ought to do our best. The little bird that told me this, Suspected something worse, — That you neglect your little ones, And put them out to nurse* 3 34 HOME SONGS FOR Oh, Cuckoo ! if this story 's true, I think you 're much to blame. Then talk no more about yourself So. Hide yourself, for shame. A BETTER SON. AN old man to our hearth had come, On'e evening in the time of snow, He told us of his childhood's home, And of his parents long ago : How much for him they worked and prayed — How long their toils and prayers were done ; And then the old man sighing, said, " If I had been a better son." We never knew what early sin Called forth that aged traveller's sigh, But often have I thought since then, My parents must grow old and die ; And mine may be a grief as keen For harsh words said, or follies done ; Therefore, my daily prayer has been That I might be a better son. LITTLE DARLINGS. 35 DING! DONG! BELL! DING! Dong! Bell! Why do you ring so clear ? In the early morning Sleep to me is dear. 'T is time you were up, little boy, Early rise if you wish to be well ; No sluggard can list to my song Of Ding! Dong! Bell! Ding! Dong! Bell! Why do you ring at noon ? Making me stop my play To list to your cheerful tune. For dinner 't is time, little boy, The laborers hurry pellmell ; Welcome to them is the sound Of Ding ! Dong ! Bell ! Ding! Dong! Bell! Again your solemn peal In the early evening On my ear does steal. 3G HOME SONGS FOR Time you were in your bed, little boy, The end of day 1 knell ; Welcome to all is the evening sound Of Ding ! Dong ! Bell ! THE YOUNG AND OLD. GRANDFATHER dear, where are they gone, Those boys that were all at school with you, Wrestling Richard, jumping John, Climbing Harry, and hardy Hugh ; We have heard of their doings many a day, Grandfather, tell us where are they ? " My boy, it is sixty years ago, And all my schoolmates are dead and gone, But the lame old man at the lodge you know, 'Twas he who was once called jumping John, And I, whom the east wind pierces through, Was the boy for the winters, hardy Hugh." LITTLE DARLINGS, 37 AUTUMN. PEACHES ripe and apples mellow, Grapes both sweet and clear, Fill the dishes on the sideboard, Tell that autumn's here. 'T is merry in the cornfield, When harvest wagons stand ; When to and fro the reapers go, The sickle in their hand. 38 HOME SONGS FOB Then give we thanks to God, At even and at morn, Who sent the spring and summer sun To ripen Autumn's corn. THE SUN. SOMEWHERE it is always light; For when 'tis morning here, In some far distant land 't is night, And the bright moon shines there. When you 're undressed and going to bed, They are just rising there ; And morning on the hills doth spread, When it is evening here. And other distant lands there be, Where it is always night ; For weeks and weeks they never see The sun, nor have they light. For it is dark both night and day ; But what 's as wond'rous quite, The darkness it doth pass away, And then for weeks 't is light. LITTLE DARLINGS. 39 Yes, while you sleep the sun shines bright, The sky is blue and clear ; For weeks and weeks there is no night, But always daylight there. THE BIRD'S NEST. WHO would rob the linnet's nest, Or its tender young molest, Heedless of their chirping cries ? Naughty boy, restore the prize ! Thoughtless child ! did you but know, All the love and all the woe That the parent birds must feel, You would ne'er such treasures steal. Helpless things, too young to Captives in a cage they '11 die ! Where 's their mother, food to bring, And enfold them with her wing ? Wailing in some lonely brake, Broken-hearted for their sake, Like a mourning mother left, Of her children dear bereft ! 40 HOME SONGS FOB God above who cares for all, He who sees the sparrow fall, Made them free on joyful wing, Through the air to soar and sing. RIDE AWAY, RIDE RIDE away, ride away, ride ! Away to the market we go, Placed snugly the basket beside, With chickens set all in a row. The sheep on the field that we see, May stare at our carriage so fine, But there is not a lamb on the lea With a heart so delighted as thine. Though lofty the gentle folks ride, With horses that canter and neigh, Far safer and smoother we glide, And gather sweet flowers on the way. The higher they caper and bound, The farther they sink when they fall, But riding so near to the ground, The wheel-barrow 's safest of all. LITTLE DARLINGS. 41 Ride away, ride away, ride ! We '11 pull off the sweet-blooming thorn, And daisies that deck the way side, For garlands when home we return. AGAINST QUARRELLING AND FIGHTING. LET dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so ; Let bears and lions growl and fight, For 't is their nature too. But, children, you should never let Such angry passions rise ; Your little hands were never made To tear each other's eyes. Let love through all your actions run, And all your words be mild ; Live like the blessed Virgin's Son, That sweet and lovely child. His soul was gentle as a lamb ; And, as his stature grew, He grew in favor both with man And God his Father too. 42 HOME SONGS FOR Now, Lord of all, he reigns above, And from his heavenly throne, He sees what children dwell in love, And marks them for his own. THE cow. THANK you, pretty cow, that made Pleasant milk to soak my bread, Every day and every night, Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white. Do not chew the hemlock rank, Growing on the weedy bank ; But the yellow cowslips eat, They will make it very sweet. Where the purple violet grows, Where the bubbling water flows, Where the grass is fresh and fine, Pretty cow, go there and dine. LEARNING TO GO ALONE. COME, my darling, come away, Take a pretty walk to-day. LITTLE DARLINGS. 43 Run along, and never fear, I '11 take care of baby dear. Up and down with little feet, That 's the way to walk, niy sweet ; Now it is so very near, Soon she '11 get to mother dear. There, she conies along at last ; Here 's my finger, hold it fast : Now one pretty little kiss, After such a walk as this. I USED TO THINK. I USED to think there would be fun When all my going to school was done, And all my lessons o'er ; "When my good master — I thought him then The worst and wildest of mortal men — Should hear my tasks no more. "Well, now, the school time is all past, I 'm out of my master's thrall at last, And sent to business here. Yet the days of grumbling are not gone, Fortunes may change, but they last on, Still fresh from year to year. 44 HOME SONGS FOR GROWLER. Go, naughty Growler, get away, You shall not have a bit ; LITTLE DARLINGS. 45 Now when I speak how dare you stay ? I can't spare any, sir, I say, And so yon need not sit. Poor Growler ! do. not make him go, Bnt recollect, hefore, That he has never served you so, For you have given him many a blow That patiently he bore. Poor Growler ! if he could but speak, He 'd tell (as well he might) How he would bear with many a freak, And Avag his tail, and look so meek, And neither bark nor bite. Upon his back he lets you ride, All round and round the yard ; And now, while sitting by your side, To have a bit of bread denied, Is really very hard. And al^your little tricks he '11 bear, And jnever seem to mind ; And yeryou say you cannot spare One bit of breakfast for his share, Although he is so kind ! 46 HOME SONGS FOR LOOK UP, MY CHILD. To yonder blue and boundless dome, That bends o'er river, hill, and home, Wherein the sun his circuit makes, Where the mild moon by night awakes, Where morning breaks, where evening falls, From whence the mighty thunder calls — Where rainbows rise, where clouds are piled Above man's reach — Look up, my child. That sky was all as brightly blue When Adam gazed, and Eden grew, Though centuries since then have rolled, It has not altered, or grown old, But speaks to every heart and eye Of him who built its arch so high, And spread it forth, o'er wave and wild, To tell his praise — Look up, my child. This earth, though it be fair to see, With hill and valley, stream and tree, Hath change without — hath graves within, And many a trace of tears and sin. Then lift thine eyes, and lift thy heart, And seek beyond the skies thy part, Where stands that city undefiled Through life and death — Look up, my child. LITTLE DARLINGS. 47 GETTING UP. Now, my baby, ope your eye, For the sun is in the sky, And he 's peeping once again Through the frosty window-pane ; Little baby, do not keep Any longer fast asleep. There now, sit in mother's lap, That she may untie your cap ; For the little strings have got Twisted into such a knot : Ah ! for shame, you've been at play With the bobbin, as you lay. There it comes, now let us see, "Where your petticoats can be : Oh ! they 're in the window-seat, Folded very smooth and neat : When my baby older groAvs, She shall double up her clothes. Now one pretty little kiss, For dressing you so nice as this ; And before you go down stairs, Don't forget to say your prayers ; For 't is God who loves to keep Little babies while they sleep. 48 HOME SONGS FOB THE LITTLE COWARD. WHY, here 's a foolish little man ! Laugh at him, donkey, if you can ; And cat, and dog, and cow, and calf, Come, every one of you, and laugh. For only think, he runs away If honest donkey does but bray ! And when the bull begins to bellow, He 's like a crazy little fellow. Poor Brindle cow can hardly pass Along the hedge to nip the grass, Or wag her tail to lash the flies, But off he runs and loudly cries ! And when old Tray comes jumping too, With bow, wow, wow, for how d 'ye do, And means it all for civil play, 'T is sure to make him run away ! But all the while you 're thinking, may be, "Ah ! well, but this must be a baby." Oh ! cat, and dog, and cow, and calf, I 'm not surprised to see you laugh, He 's five years old and almost half. LITTLE DARLINGS. 49 THE CUT. WELL, what 's the matter ? there 's a face ! What ! have you cut a vein ? And is it quite a shocking place ? Come, let us look again. I see it bleeds, but never mind That tiny little drop ; I don't believe you '11 ever find That crying makes it stop. 'T is sad indeed, to cry at pain, For any but a baby ; If that should chance to cut a vein, We should not wonder, may be. But such a man as you should try To bear a little sorrow : So run about and wipe your eye, 'T will all be well to-morrow. THE WARNING. UNDER a tree, and by a well, There stands a cottage in yonder dell ; Within that cot live children three,. Such children did you never see. 4 50 HOME SONGS FOB They quarrel at meals, they quarrel at play, They quarrel, I 'm told, both night and day ; For every one wants every thing, And peace from the house has taken wing. Their voices have got the quarrellcr's tone, Their faces to quarreller's looks have grown ; Then lest you come to lead their life, Brothers and sisters, cease from strife. TEACH ME TO PRAT. LORD, teach a little child to pray, And oh, accept my prayer ! Thou hearest all the words I say, For tliou art everywhere. A little sparrow cannot fall Unnoticed, Lord, by thee ; And though I am so young and small, Thou carest still for me. Teach me to do whate'er is right, And when I sin, forgive ; And make it still my chief delight To love thee while I live. LITTLE DARLINGS. 51 THE CHILD'S QUESTIONS. WHO made the pretty fields, mamma, With flowers red and blue ? Who made the pretty stars, mamma ? And who made me and you ? 'T was God, my child, who made the world, And all things bright and fair ; His goodness keeps us all from harm, His hand is everywhere. 52 HOME SONGS FOB And did he make the trees, mamma ; The rivers, and the sea ; And the bright sun that from the sky Shines down so cheerfully ? And can God see us all, mamma, And hear each word we say ? And does he see me when I sleep, And when I sing and play ? He sees us all, my little one, From his bright throne above ; And stretches o'er us, day by day, The shelter of his love. High on his heavenly throne he hears Each little prayer you say ; Then learn to love him, little child, And seek him day by day. THE LITTLE BABY. WHAT is this pretty little thing, That nurse so carefully doth bring, And round its head her apron fling ? A baby ! LITTLE DARLINGS. 53 Oh ! dear, how very soft its cheek : Why, Nurse, I cannot make it speak, And it can't walk, it is so weak, Poor baby. Here, take a bit, you little dear, I' ve got nice cake and sweetmeats here : 'T is very nice, you need not fear, You baby. Oh ! I 'm afraid that it will die ; Why can't it eat as well as I, And jump and talk ? Do let it try, Poor baby. Why, you were once a baby too, And could not jump as now you do, But good mamma took care of you, Like baby. And then she taught your pretty feet To pat along the carpet neat, And call papa to come and meet His baby. Oh ! dear mamma to take such care, And no kind pains and trouble spare, To feed and nurse you when you were A baby. 54 HOMESONGSFOR THE FISHING BOAT. I KNOW a little fishing boat That puts out every night, To take the fishes in the sea, When the moon is shining bright. And when the clouds are in the sky, And winds are whistling shrill, This little fishing boat puts out From the haven by the hill. What makes the fisherman go out In wind and storm, as well As when the weather 's calm and fair? I fancy I can tell. I 've seen three little children, That stood upon the shore, To watch the fishing boat come in ; — They watched an hour and more. And when, at last, they saw it come, The youngest of them said, " Here 's daddy coming home, at last ; And now we shall have bread." LITTLE DARLINGS. 55 ' And that is why the fishing boat Went every night to sea ; — The father had to earn the bread To feed those children three. THE PET GOAT. A FLOWERY chaplet wreathes her head, While innocence and love, That in her breast their home have made, Have brighter garlands wove. The Goat and Dog are all her care When shine the sunny hours, And with her loved companions there, She plays among the flowers. The Goat's rough head and branching horns She decks with streamers gay, And many a pendant flower adorns His flowing beard of gray. But better far he loves the crumbs Her little hand bestows, And runs to meet her when she comes, And sorrows when she goes. 56 HOME SONGS FOR The Dog springs up and barks for joy With pretty Jane to rove, And views the Goat with jealous eye, A rival for her love. THE SLUGGARD. 'T is the voice of the sluggard, — I heard him complain, " You have waked me too soon ; I must slum- ber again : " As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed Turns his sides and his shoulders, and his heavy head. " A little more sleep, and a little more slum- ber;" Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number ; And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands, Or walks about saunt'ring, or trifling he stands. I passed by his garden, and saw the wild briar, The thorn and the thistle, grow broader and higher ; LITTLE DARLINGS. 57 The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags, And his money still wastes, 'till he starves or he begs. I made him a visit, still hoping to find That he took better care for improving his mind; He told me his dreams, talked of eating and drinking ; But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking. THE BABY'S DANCE. DANCE, little baby, dance up high : Never mind, baby, mother is nigh ; Crow and caper, caper and crow, There, little baby, there you go ; Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backwards and forwards, round and round, Then dance, little baby, and mother shall sing, While the gay merry coral goes ding, ding a-ding, ding. 58 HOME SONGS FOB LITTLE THINGS. LITTLE drops of water, Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean, And the pleasant land. Thus the little minutes, Humble though they be, Make the mighty ages Of eternity. Thus our little errors Lead the soul away, From the path of virtue Off in sin to stray. Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make our earth an Eden, Like the heaven above. LITTLE DARLTNGB. 59 THE NAUGHTY SISTER. Go, go, my naughty girl, and kiss Your little sister dear ; I must not have such scenes as this, And noisy quarrels here. What ! little children scratch and fight, That ought to be so mild ! Oh ! Mary, it 's a shocking sight To see an angry child. I can't imagine, for my part, The reason of your folly ; She did not do you any harm, By playing with your dolly. See, see, the little tears that run Fast from her watery eye ; Come, my sweet innocent, be done, 'Twill do no good to cry. Go, Mary, wipe her tears away, And make it up with kisses ; And never turn a pretty play To such a pet as this is. 60 HOME SONGS FOR THE AIR-BUBBLE. BLOW the bubble, happy boy, And thy fleeting sport enjoy ; Globe of azure, gold and green, Brighter bubble ne'er was seen ! Silly thing of froth and air, Off it goes ! we know not where ; While another follows fast, Bright and transient as the last. Such are oft the dreams of youth, Airy phantoms, void of truth ; Such the schemes of riper age, When the world's delusions rage. Life 's a bubble at the best, — Clouds where air-built castles rest, Schemes by vain ambition nurst, Like the airy bubble burst. Blow the bubble, happy child, You at least are not beguiled : Pretty pastime, — better far Than the world's great bubbles are. LITTLE DARLINGS. 61 THE GREAT BROWN OWL. THE brown Owl sits in the ivy bush, And she looketh wondrous wise, With a horny beak beneath her cowl, And a pair of large round eyes. She sat all day on the self-same spray, From sunrise till sunset ; And the dim, grey light it was all too bright For the owl to see in yet. " Jenny-Owlet, Jenny-Owlet," said a merry little bird, " They say you 're wondrous wise ; But I don't think you see, though you're looking at ME With your large, round, shining eyes." But night came soon, and the pale white moon Rolled high up in the skies ; And the great brown Owl flew away in her cowl, With her large, round, shining eyes. 62 HOME SONGS FOR THE OLD OLOOK. LISTEN to the kitchen clock ! To itself it ever talks, From its place it never walks ; " Tick-tock — tick-tock." Tell me what it says. " I 'm a very patient clock, Never moved by hope or fear, Though I 've stood for many a year ; Tick-tock — tick-tock." That is what it says. " 1 'm a very truthful clock : People say, about the place, Truth is written on my face ; Tick-tock — tick-tock." » That is what it says. " I 'm a very active Clock, For I go while you 're asleep, Though you never take a peep ; Tick-tock — tick-tock." That is what it says. LITTLE DARLINGS. 63 " I 'm a most obliging Clock : If you wish to hear me strike, You may do it wheu you like ; Tick-tock — tick-tock." That is what it says. What a talkative old Clock ! Let us see what it will do When the pointer reaches two ; ' Diiig-diug " — " tick-tock." That is what it says. POLITENESS. GOOD boys and girls will never say, " I will" and " Give me these ;" Oh, no ; that never is the way, But, " Mother, if you please." And " If you please" to sister Ann, Good boys to say are ready ; And " Yes sir" to a gentleman, And " Yes ma'am" to a lady. 64 HOME SONGS FOR GERTRUDE AND HER ALPHABET. You have not heard the story yet Of Gertrude and her Alphabet. She learnt her letters from a board ; As yet, she could not read a word, But stood beside her mother's knee, Who pointed out great ABC. " I cannot see," said little Gerty ; " Mamma, I think the board is dirty ! " "No, not at all," her mother said ; " The letters are jet black and red, On snow-white paper ; — nay, be wise, You cannot see with tearful eyes." But still the tear-drdps, large and round, Go trickling slowly to the ground, LITTLE DARLINGS, 65 And all the letters, great and small, Seem to move with them as they fall. The crystal drops on her eyelashes Quiver with black and scarlet dashes. --.. " Strange," thought the child, " I always thought That was round 0, when I was taught, Yet now it turns into a loop, And now — into my own new hoop! That hoop-stick once was little I ; I 'in sure it was, I knew it well." The child is looking at a tear, Which, like a mirror bright and clear. Reflects the letters as they pass, As on the Fairy's magic glass ; And all the little dingy letters Bow to the r?d ones, as their betters. ft started, and turned up its tail ; H turned into a hurdle-rail ; And i, with its droll little head, Lay down on B, which stands for bed ; While p, which always puzzled you, Turned round and mimicked little q. 5 HOME SONGS FOR a, with its puffed out paunch, looked odd, /And turned into a Chinese god; u was a washing tub ; but then, Turned upside down, they called it n. And both the great and little K's Kicked out their feet and laughed at T's. The Ws turned over soon, And then they looked like M for moon ; And both the crooked S's, they Ran up a step-ladder, great A ; While X and Z and D and T Looked like themselves, and so did V. Small h. looked like the high backed chairs ; Y like a wine-glass — Gerty stares To see a imitating b, Its cousin-german — as for g, A pair of spectacles it grows, And mounts on little Gerty's nose ! " Well, can you see them now, my child ? " Her mother asked, in accents mild. LITTLE DAELINGS. 67 The tear-drops fall from Gertrude's eyes, The magic mirror vanishes, And little Gertrude laughs, " Ha, ha! I know my letters, now, Mamma." SLEEPY HARRY. " I DO not like to go to bed," Sleepy little Harry said, " Go, naughty Betty, go away, I will not come at all, I say ! " Oh, what a little silly fellow ! I should be quite ashamed to tell her ; Then, Betty, you must come and carry This very foolish little Harry. The little birds are better taught, They go to roosting when they ought ; And all the ducks, and fowls, you know, They went to bed an hour ago. The little beggar in the street, Who wanders with his naked feet, And has not where to lay his head, Oh, he 'd be glad to go to bed. 68 HOME SONGS FOB THE EVENING PRAYER. IN the solemn shade of the twilight sky, Which tells of another day gone by, In the hush of thy home, so calm and free, Thou art kneeling, child ! at thy mother's knee. And they that kneel in the proudest fane, Of sculptured pillar, and pictured pane, Of breathing censer, and jewelled shrine, Have found no altar more blest than thine. For there thou hast learned to praise His might, "Who guides the march of the day and night : And there thou hast learned to seek his grace, "Who makes with the meek his dwelling-place. Say, will that lesson long abide When thou art far from thy mother's side, When the hair is gray — or the grave is green Of her, that thine earliest love has been. When the snares of life are around thee set, And the cares have come which thou knowest not yet ; LITTLE DARLINGS. 69 When business calls thee at early day, And memories deepen the evening's gray. Whate'er the course of thine after track, Whate'er the change, will thy heart come back, In spite of sin, and in spite of snare, To thy mother's knee and thine evening prayer GOING TO BED. DOWN upon my pillow warm, I do lay my little head, And the rain, and wind, and storm, Cannot come too nigh my bed. Dear mamma, I thank you oft For this comfortable bed, And this pretty pillow soft, Where I rest my little head. I shall sleep till morning light, On a bed so nice as this ; So, my dear mamma, good-night, Give your little girl a kiss. 70 HOME SONGS FOB LITTLE RAIN-DROPS. WHERE do you come from, You little drops of rain, Fitter patter, pitter patter, Down the window pane ? They won't let me walk, And they won't let me play, And they won't let me go Out of doors at all to-day. They put away my playthings. Because I broke them all, And then they locked up all my hricks, And took away my ball. LITTLE DARLINGS. 71 Tell me, little rain-drops, Is that the way you play, Fitter patter, pitter patter, All the rainy day ? They say I 'm very naughty, But I 've nothing else to do, But sit here at the window ; I should like to play with you. The little rain drops cannot speak, But " pitter, pitter pat " Means, we can play on this side, Why can't you play on that ? THE CHERRY-TREE. FREDDIE saw some fine ripe cherries Hanging on a cherry-tree ; And he said, " You pretty cherries, "Will you not come down to me ? " " Thank you kindly," said a cherry, " We would rather stay up here ; If we ventured down this morning, You would eat us up, I fear." One, the finest of the cherries, Dangling from a slender twig ; 72 HOME SONGS FOR " You arc beautiful," said Freddie, " Red and ripe, and oh, how big ! " " Catch me," said the cherry, " catch roc, Little roaster, if you can ! " " I would catch you soon," said Freddie, " If I were a grown up man." Freddie jumped and tried to reach it, Standing high upon his toes ; But the cherry bobbed about, And laughed and tickled Freddie's nose. " Never mind," said little Freddie, " I shall have them when it 's right," But a blackbird whistled boldly, " I shall eat them all to-night." THE VAIN LITTLE GIRL. WHAT ! looking in the glass again ! Why is my silly child so vain ? Do you think yourself as fair As the gentle lilies are ? Is your merry eye as blue As the violet's, wet with dew ? Yet it loves the best to hide By the hedge's shady side. LITTLE DARLINGS. When your cheek the brightest glows, Is it redder than the rose ? But the rose's buds are seen Almost hid with moss and green. Little flowers, that open gay, Peeping forth at break of day, In the garden, hedge, or plain, Do you think that they are vain ? BABY AND MAMMA. 