Come Home, Father

by Henry Clay Work

Father, dear father, come home with me now!
The clock in the steeple strikes one; .....
You promis'd, dear father, that you would come home,
As soon as your day's work was done......
Our fire has gone out - our house is all dark -
And mother's been watching since tea; .....
With poor brother Benny so sick in her arms,
And no one to help her but me......
Come home! come home! come home! .....
Please father, dear father, come home! ....

     Hear the sweet voice of the child, ....
     Which the night winds repeat as they roam! .....
     Oh! who could resist this most plaintive of pray'rs?
     Please father, dear father, come home! ....

Father, dear father, come home with me now
The clock in the steeple strikes two;
The night has grown colder and Benny is worse,
But he has been calling for you.
Indeed his is worse, Ma says he will die,
Perhaps before morning shall dawn!
And this is the message she sent me to bring -
"Come quickly! Or he will be gone."
Come home! come home! come home! .....
Please father, dear father, come home! ....

Father, dear father, come home with me now!
The clock in the steeple strikes three;
The house is so lonely, the hours are so long
For poor weeping mother and me.
Yes we are alone, poor Benny is dead,
And gone with the angels of light;
And these were the very last words that he said
"I want to kiss father, good night."
Come home! come home! come home! .....
Please father, dear father, come home! ....