An orphan child was Jenny Lee;
Her father, he was dead.
And very hard her mother worked;
To get the children bread.
In winter time, she often rose
Long ere the day was light,
And left her orphan family,
Till dark again at night.
And she would always say to Jane,
Before she went away;
"Be sure you mind the little ones,
And don't go out to play.
"Keep baby quiet in his bed,
As long as he will lie;
Then take him up, and dance him well,
Don't leave him there to cry.
"And don't let little Christopher,
Get down into the street,
For fear he meets an accident
Beneath the horse's feet.
"And mind about the fire, child,
And keep a tidy floor;
We never need be dirty, Jane,
Although we may be poor.
"Good-by my precious comforter,
For all the neighbours say,
That I can trust my little maid,
Whenever I'm away."
Then Jenny she was quite as proud
As England's noble Queen,
And she resolved to do the work,
And keep the dwelling clean.
She did not stop to waste her time,
But very brisk was she,
And worked as hard and cheerfully
As any busy bee.
If down upon the cottage floor
Her little brother fell,
She stroked the places tenderly,
And kissed and made them well.
And when the little babe was cross,
As little babes will be,
She nursed and danced it merrily,
And fed it on her knee.
But when they both were safe in bed,
She neatly swept the hearth,
And waited until her mother's step
Came sounding up the path.
Then open flew the cottage door,
The weary mother smiled.
"Ah! Jenny dear, what should I do,
Without my precious child!"