A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.)/Little Jim, or the Collier's Home
"Little Jim," or the Collier's Home.
"Man may educate the head, nature alone can teach the heart."
The cottage was a thatched one, the outside old and mean,
Yet everything within that cot was wondrous neat and clean;
The night was dark and stormy, the wind was howling wild,
A patient mother sat beside the death-bed of her child—
A little worn-out creature, whose once bright eyes were dim—
It was a collier's only child, they called him "Little Jim."
And, oh ! to see the briny tears fast hurrying down her cheek.
As she offered up a prayer, in thought, she was afraid to speak,
Lest she might waken one she loved far dearer than her life.
For she had all a mother's heart, had that poor collier's wife.
With hands uplifted, see she kneels beside the sufferer's bed,
And prays that He will spare her child and take herself instead;
She gets her answer from the boy, soft fall the words from him—
"Mother, the angels do so smile and beckon little Jim.
I have no pain, dear mother, now, but oh! I am so dry,
Just moisten poor Jim*s lips once more, and mother don't you cry."
With gentle trembling haste she holds a tea-cup to his lips,
He smiles to thank her, then he takes three little tiny sips;
"Tell father, when he comes from work, I said 'Good Night' to him;
And, mother, now I'll go to sleep." Alas! poor little Jim.
She sees that he is dying, that the child she loves so dear
Has uttered the last words that she may ever hope to hear.
The cottage door is opened, the collier's step is heard,
The father and the mother meet, yet neither speak a word;
He feels that all is over, he knows his child is dead,
He takes the candle in his hand and walks towards the bed;
His quivering lip gives token of the grief he'd fain conceal,
And, see ! the mother joins him, the stricken couple kneel,
With hearts "bowed down with sorrow," they humbly ask of Him,
In Heaven once more to meet again their own poor "Little Jim."