Lines to My Mother by Fanny J. Crosby — Read

On My Birthday.

My birthday eve is gone, Mother, / And didst thou think of me? / Each moment while I counted o'er / My thoughts were all on thee,

And oft I wished thee here, Mother, / Our social group to join; / For I long to clasp thine hand, Mother, / And in thy arms recline.

My birthday eve is gone, Mother, / The future who can know? / Oh, will my buoyant heart, as now, / With gladness still o'erflow?

Or will its trembling strings, Mother, / Speak but a mournful tone? / And I, of all I love bereft, / Weep wretched and alone?

My birthday eve is gone, Mother, / Friends gather round me now, / And they are sad, whene'er they mark / A shadow on my brow.

They sing my favorite lays, Mother, / And many an hour beguile; / For they are dear as life to me- / I live but in their smile.