Canadian Singers and Their Songs/Robert W. Service

by Robert W. Service

For other versions of this work, see My Madonna.

ROBERT W. SERVICE

AUTHOR OF "SONGS OF A SOURDOUGH," "BALLADS OF A CHEECHAKO," "RHYMES
OF A ROLLING STONE," " RHYMES OF A RED CROSS MAN," ETC.

My Madonna.

I haled me a woman from
off the street,
Shameless, but oh so fair!
I bade her sit in the model's
seat,
And I painted her sitting
there.

I hid all trace of her
heart unclean;
I painted a babe at her
breast,
I painted her as she might
have been
If the Worst had been
the Best.

She laughed at my picture
and went away,
Then came with a knowing
nod,
A connoisseur, and I heard
him say
"'Tis Mary, The Mother of God."

So I painted a halo round
her hair,
And I sold her and took
my fee,
And she hangs in the
Church of Saint Hilaire,
Where you and all may
see.

Robert W Service

Aug '18.