Read "The Little Bird" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The father sits in his lonely room, / Outside sings a little bird. / But the shadows are laden with death and gloom, / And the song is all unheard. / The father's heart is the home of sorrow; / His breast is the seat of grief! / Who will hunt the paper for him on the morrow / Who will bring him sweet relief / From wearing thought with innocent chat? / Who will find his slippers and bring his hat? / Still the little bird sings / And flutters her wings; / The refrain of her song is, "God knows best! / He giveth his little children rest. " / What can she know of these sorrowful things?
The mother sits by the desolate hearth, / And weeps o'er a vacant chair. / Sorrow has taken the place of mirth / Joy has resigned to despair. / Bitter the cup the mother is drinking, / So bitter the tear-drops start. / Sad are the thoughts the mother is thinking -- / Oh, they will break her heart. / Who will run on errands, and romp and play, / And mimic the robins the livelong day? / Still the little bird sings / And flutters her wings; / "God reigns in heaven, and He will keep / The dear little children that fall asleep. " / What can she know of these sorrowful things?