Mother, mother, do you not hear?
Mother, they come; there is news to tell!
--Give me your hands, my daughter dear:
Tis a tall ship that saileth well.
Mother dear, have a care, give heed!
--They go, my daughter, away they speed.
Mother, the danger is sore, alas!
--Child, my child, it will quickly pass.
Mother, mother, She draweth near!
--It is down in the harbour, daughter dear.
Mother, mother, She opens the door!
--Child, they go, to return no more.
Mother, She enters! I am afraid!
--Child, they now have the anchor weighed.
Mother, I hear Her speaking low.
--Child, my child, it is they that go.
Mother, She makes the stars go dark!
--Child,'tis the sails of a shadowy bark.
Mother, She knocks at the casements still!
--Child, it may be they are fastened ill....
Mother, mother, my sight grows dim....
--Child, they sail for the open sea.
On every hand I can see but Him....
--Daughter, what is it, and who is He?