Hug me closer, closer, mother
Put your arms around me tight
For I'm cold and tired, dear mother
And I feel so strong tonight
Something hurts me here, mother,
like a stone upon my breast.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, mother,
why it is I cannot rest.
Just before the lamps were lighted,
just before the children came,
while the room was very quietly,
I heard someone call my name,
call at once to a window open
On a field of lambs and sheep
Some far out in the brook were drinkin'
Some were lyin' fast asleep
In a moment I was lookin'
On a world so bright and fine
Which was filled with little children,
and they seemed so happy there.
They were singing oh so sweetly,
sweetest songs I'd ever heard.
They were singing, sweeter mother,
than our darling little bird.
Come up here, my little fessy,
come up here and live with me.
Where little children never suffered
Suffered through eternity
Then I thought of all you told me
Of that bright and happy land
I was gone when you called me,
When you came and kissed my hand,
And the mother pressed her closer
To her own dear burdened friend.
On the heart so near it's breakin'
Lay the heart so near it's rest
At the solemn hour of midnight
In the darkness calm and deep
Lying on her mother's bosom,
Little Bessie fell asleep.