On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away

by Paul Dresser

Cover page to the first edition with Bessie Davis

[verse 1]:

 
'Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood
Where I first received my lessons Nature’s school
But one thing there is missing in the picture;
Without her face it seems so incomplete
I long to see my mother in the doorway
As she stood there years ago her boy to greet

[refrain]:

 
Oh, the moonlight’s fair tonight along the Wabash;
From the fields there comes the breath of new-mown hay
Through the sycamores the candlelights are gleaming
On the banks of the Wabash, far away

[verse 2]:

 
Many years have passed since I strolled by the river
Arm in arm, with sweetest Mary by my side
It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her;
It was there I begged of her to be my bride
Long years have passed since I strolled thro’ the churchyard
She’s sleeping there, my angel, Mary dear
I loved her but she thought I didn’t mean it
Still I’d give my future were she only here

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