Christmas in India
Dim dawn behind the tamerisks -- the sky is saffron-yellow --
As the women in the village grind the corn,
And the parrots seek the riverside, each calling to his fellow
That the Day, the staring Easter Day is born.
Oh the white dust on the highway! Oh the stenches in the byway!
Oh the clammy fog that hovers
And at Home they're making merry 'neath the white and scarlet berry --
What part have India's exiles in their mirth?
Full day begind the tamarisks -- the sky is blue and staring --
As the cattle crawl afield beneath the yoke,
And they bear One o'er the field-path, who is past all hope or caring,
To the ghat below the curling wreaths of smoke.
Call on Rama, going slowly, as ye bear a brother lowly --
Call on Rama -- he may hear, perhaps, your voice!
With our hymn-books and our psalters we appeal to other altars,
And to-day we bid "good Christian men rejoice!"
High noon behind the tamarisks -- the sun is hot above us --
As at Home the Christmas Day is breaking wan.
They will drink our healths at dinner -- those who tell us how they love us,
And forget us till another year be gone!
Oh the toil that knows no breaking! Oh the Heimweh, ceaseless, aching!
Oh the black dividing Sea and alien Plain!
Youth was cheap -- wherefore we sold it.
Gold was good -- we hoped to hold it,
And to-day we know the fulness of our gain.
Grey dusk behind the tamarisks -- the parrots fly together --
As the sun is sinking slowly over Home;
And his last ray seems to mock us shackled in a lifelong tether.
That drags us back how'er so far we roam.
Hard her service, poor her payment -- she is ancient, tattered raiment --
India, she the grim Stepmother of our kind.
If a year of life be lent her, if her temple's shrine we enter,
The door is hut -- we may not look behind.
Black night behind the tamarisks -- the owls begin their chorus --
As the conches from the temple scream and bray.
With the fruitless years behind us, and the hopeless years before us,
Let us honor, O my brother, Christmas Day!
Call a truce, then, to our labors -- let us feast with friends and neighbors,
And be merry as the custom of our caste;
For if "faint and forced the laughter," and if sadness follow after,
We are richer by one mocking Christmas past.
poem by Rudyard Kipling
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Merry Bloomin' Christmas! ! ! ! !
Now, I know that there's a recession
And the message is all 'doom and gloom',
But I really don't need to remind you
That it'll be Christmas soon!
So I don't want to hear "Bah! Humbug! "
Or "Christmas is cancelled this year! "
Let everything be tinsel and holly,
Sleigh bells and words of good cheer!
Yes, we've had to pull in our belts
(The bills still have to be paid)
But dig out last years decorations
And give cards that you've lovingly made.
No need for extravagant spending:
One good gift per head will suffice.
And I'm sure that, wrapped up in brown paper,
Your parcels will look just as nice.
And as for Christmas dinner -
Chicken nuggets will do for the meat!
After all, when the booze hits their systems
Your guests will be too drunk to eat!
In fact, if you take some sound advice
You'll be tanked up right through till next year.
I, in turn, plan to drink myself senseless -
Now, that's my idea of "good cheer"!
So, here's to you and yours, my friend!
Let all your burdens be light.
May your Christmas spirit be 40% proof
And your days be more merry than bright! ! !
poem by Dawn Ferrett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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We Wish You A Merry Christmas
So we drive as fast as we can go
through the black night black ice and the snow
until we see the street signs and we know
we are coming home
Good tidings we bring
to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
and a happy new year
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
And so when the words we sing are gone
Pray God's blessing continues on
and you laugh and compliment this
merry Christmas
Good tidings we bring
to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
and a happy new year
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
song performed by by Relient K
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
(john lennon/yoko ono)
So this is christmas
And what have you done
Another years over
New ones just begun
So this is christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear
So this is christmas
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Lets stop all the fight
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear
War is over
War is over
War is over now
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Christmas
(john lennon/yoko ono)
So this is christmas
And what have you done
Another year's over
New one's just begun
So this is christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
So this is christmas
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
A merry, merry christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over
War is over
War is over now
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Christmas
(john lennon, yoko ono)
And so this is christmas and what have you done
Another year over; a new one just begun
And so this is christmas, i hope you have fun
The near and the dear one, the old and the young
A merry merry christmas and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear
So this is christmas, for weak and for strong
The rich and the poor one, the road is so long
So happy christmas for black and for white
The yellow and red one, and stop all the fight
A merry merry christmas and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear
So this is christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun
So happy christmas, i hope you have fun
The near and the dear one, the old and the young
A merry merry christmas and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear
Intstrumental
So this is christmas and what have you done
Another year over; a new one just begun
And so happy christmas; we hope you have fun
The near and the dear one, the old and the young
A merry merry christmas and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
Very, merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
The weak and the strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
The yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very, merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
song performed by by Moody Blues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?
Another year older, a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young
A merry, merry Christmas and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one, without any fears
And so this is Christmas, for weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long
And so, happy Christmas, for black and for white.
The yellow and red ones, and stop all the fights
A merry, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one, without any fears
And so, this is Christmas, and what have we done?
Another year older, a new one just begun
And so, happy Christmas, I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young
A merry, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one, without any fears
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The war is so long
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so happy Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
song performed by by Celine Dion from These Are Special Times
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Wife
"Tell Annie I'll be home in time
To help her with her Christmas-tree."
That's what he wrote, and hark! the chime
Of Christmas bells, and where is he?
And how the house is dark and sad,
And Annie's sobbing on my knee!
The page beside the candle-flame
With cruel type was overfilled;
I read and read until a name
Leapt at me and my heart was stilled:
My eye crept up the column -- up
Unto its hateful heading: Killed.
And there was Annie on the stair:
"And will he not be long?" she said.
Her eyes were bright and in her hair
She'd twined a bit of riband red;
And every step was daddy's sure,
Till tired out she went to bed.
And there alone I sat so still,
With staring eyes that did not see;
The room was desolate and chill,
And desolate the heart of me;
Outside I heard the news-boys shrill:
"Another Glorious Victory!"
A victory. . . . Ah! what care I?
A thousand victories are vain.
Here in my ruined home I cry
From out my black despair and pain,
I'd rather, rather damned defeat,
And have my man with me again.
They talk to us of pride and power,
Of Empire vast beyond the sea;
As here beside my hearth I cower,
What mean such words as these to me?
Oh, will they lift the clouds that low'r,
Or light my load in years to be?
What matters it to us poor folk?
Who win or lose, it's we who pay.
Oh, I would laugh beneath the yoke
If I had him at home to-day;
One's home before one's country comes:
Aye, so a million women say.
"Hush, Annie dear, don't sorrow so."
(How can I tell her?) "See, we'll light
With tiny star of purest glow
Each little candle pink and white."
(They make mistakes. I'll tell myself
I did not read that name aright.)
Come, dearest one; come, let us pray
Beside our gleaming Christmas-tree;
Just fold your little hands and say
These words so softly after me:
"God pity mothers in distress,
And little children fatherless."
"God pity mothers in distress,
And little children fatherless."
. . . . .
What's that? -- a step upon the stair;
A shout! -- the door thrown open wide!
My hero and my man is there,
And Annie's leaping by his side. . . .
The room reels round, I faint, I fall. . . .
"O God! Thy world is glorified."
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Happy Xmas
Happy christmas, kyoko.
Happy christmas, julian.
So this is christmas and what have you done?
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is christmas, i hope you have fun,
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is christmas for weak and for strong,
(war is over if you want it,)
For the rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
(war is over now.)
And so happy christmas for black and for whites,
(war is over if you want it,)
For the yellow and red ones, let's stop all the fight.
(war is over now.)
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is christmas and what have we done?
(war is over if you want it,)
Another year over, a new one just begun.
(war is over if you want it,)
And so this is christmas, we hope you have fun,
(war is over if you want it,)
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
(war is over now.)
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over
If you want it,
War is over now.
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
song performed by by Yoko Ono
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Xmas
Happy christmas, kyoko.
Happy christmas, julian.
So this is christmas and what have you done?
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is christmas, i hope you have fun,
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is christmas for weak and for strong,
(war is over if you want it,)
For the rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
(war is over now.)
And so happy christmas for black and for whites,
(war is over if you want it,)
For the yellow and red ones, let's stop all the fight.
(war is over now.)
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is christmas and what have we done?
(war is over if you want it,)
Another year over, a new one just begun.
(war is over if you want it,)
And so this is christmas, we hope you have fun,
(war is over if you want it,)
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
(war is over now.)
A very merry christmas and a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over
If you want it,
War is over now.
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
Happy christmas!
song performed by by Yoko Ono
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Please Come Home For Christmas
Bells will be ringing the glad, glad news
Oh what a christmas to have the blues
My babys gone (my babys gone) I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again
Choirs will be singing silent night
Those christmas carols by candlelight
Please come home for christmas (please come home)
Please come home for christmas (please come home)
If not for christmas by new years night
Friends and relations send salutations
Just as sure as the stars shine above (yes they do)
This is christmas, christmas my dear
The time of year to be with the one that you love
Then wont you tell me, youll never more roam
Christmas and new year (christmas and new years)
Will find you at home
Therell be no more sorrow, no grief or pain
Ill be happy (happy) that its christmas once again.
song performed by by Fiona Apple
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Christmas Past
That very special time of the year was the Christmas Season of my yesteryears or when I was a child, and I think of those wonderful very loving season, each Christmas with a smile. There was the joy and the warmth of my family , and friends. And there was always a special love shown me, I tearfully recall, and at this time we'd all say "Merry Christmas," or when I was very small. There were always the little "Snowbirds", and they sang as they sat in the holly and in the spruce, and they came during Christmas Season, even when no snow fell to this ground. I remember feeding them little crumbs of bread, and I wondered where they came from, and when they'd last been fed. They were a cheerful part of Christmas too, and they were seemingly all around. These little "Snowbirds" of my childhood Christmas, filled the season, and those carefree days with such beautiful sights, and sounds. Even though they were such a small part of it all, they'll remain so dear to my heart. Those days the spirit of Christmas seemed to fill the hearts of the young, and the old, and Santa had his magical part, in all the stories I was told. He came from such a magical place, and the spirit of giving kept the smile upon his face. I felt sorry for him, it seems though, because of those very long trips, and I thought about him not having his Christmas at home, and about the elves, and Mrs. Clause being left every Christmas, and about them being alone. I thought about the reindeer, about leaving Santa cookies, and milk, but I thought of how hungry the deer must get too, so I once tried to buy a bale of hay, but I couldn't find a farmer in town anywhere, so I thought they must be placing some out, and everyone has a part to play. There were family members then who are now in Heaven, and they may be gone from my sight, but those past Christmas memories of them are alive, and well in my heart, and for them I will do what is right. Thank you Lord for letting me live, and think as a child in my past, and for this day with your beautiful name ... Thank you for giving us such a day, and you can feel love most everywhere, and this love was so special when I was a child, in such a mystical , magical way ... Thank you too, for the past Christmas' I've experienced as a child, and thank you for those I have loved, and those I haven't seen for a while, and thank you for the Angels, who were there to guard you on the day that you were born, and I'd like to believe they named Christmas to wish you a "Happy Birthday"...
poem by Sr. James Davis Sorrels
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Please Come Home For Christmas
Written by charles mose brown and gene c. redd
Bells will be ringing the glad, glad news
Oh, what a christmas to end the blues
My babys gone, I have no friends
To wish me greetings, ooh, once again
Choirs will be singing silent night
Christmas carols by candlelight
Please come home for christmas
Please come home for christmas
If not for christmas, by new years night
Friends and relations send salutations
Sure as the stars shine above
This is christmas, yeah, christmas my dear
The time of year to be with the one you love
So wont you tell me youll never more roam
Christmas and new years will find you home
Please come home for christmas
Please come home for christmas
If not for christmas by new years night
[instrumental interlude]
Therell be no more sorrow no grief and pain
And Ill be happy, happy once again
song performed by by Vonda Shepard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
(Christmas)
Full of happy sounds
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
They're singing "Deck The Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
Cuz I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
(Christmas)
Pretty lights on the tree
(Christmas)
I'm watching them shine
(Christmas)
You should be here with me
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
They're singing "Deck The Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
Cuz I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
(Christmas)
If there was a way
(Christmas)
I'd hold back this tear
(Christmas)
But it's Christmas day
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
Baby please come home
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
song performed by by Mariah Carey from Merry Christmas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Please Come Home For Christmas (live)
Bells will be ringing the glad, glad news
Oh what a Christmas to have the blues
My baby's gone (my baby's gone) I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again
Choirs will be singing Silent Night
Those Christmas carols by candlelight
Please come home for Christmas (please come home)
Please come home for Christmas (please come home)
If not for Christmas by New Year's night
Friends and relations send salutations
Just as sure as the stars shine above (yes they do)
This is Christmas, Christmas my dear
The time of year to be with the one that you love
Then won't you tell me, you'll never more roam
Christmas and New Year (Christmas and New Year's)
Will find you at home
There'll be no more sorrow, no grief or pain
I'll be happy (happy) that it's Christmas once again
song performed by by Fiona Apple
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Dream
Said Will: "I'll stay and till the land."
Said Jack: "I'll sail the sea."
So one went forth kit-bag in hand,
The other ploughed the lea.
They met again at Christmas-tide,
And wistful were the two.
Said Jack: "you're lucky here to bide."
Said Will: "I envy you."
"For in your eyes a light I see
Of tropic shores agleam."
Said Jack: "You need not envy me,
For still you have the Dream.
"The Dream that lured me out to sea;
'Twas bright as paradise;
Far fairer than the memory
You see within my eyes.
So if my foolish urge you share
In foreign lands to roam,
Take up my kit-bag waiting there
And I will stay at home."
* * * * * * * *
Yet while the years have fated Will
To sow the sober loam,
The eyes of Jack are starry still,
High-riding hills of foam.
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Merry Christmas, Alabama
(jimmy buffett & matt betton)
Merry christmas, alabama
Merry christmas, tennessee
Merry christmas, louisiana
To st. barths and the florida keys
Merry christmas, mississippi
Where i started this wild and crazy run
Such a long way from that first birthday
Merry christmas, everyone
And merry christmas, colorado
Though far from you all i have roamed
'tis the season to remember
All the faces,
And the places that were home
'tis the season to remember
And to count up all the ports of call i've known
And to thank his mercies tender
For i'm never far from home
(instrumental)
Merry christmas to my saints and guardian angels
Who protect me as i roam
'tis the season to remember
All the faces
And the places that were home
Guess my life's moved at near light speed
Since i started this wild and crazy run
Such a long way from that first birthday
Merry christmas, everyone
'tis the season to remember
No we're never far from home
Merry christmas, everyone.
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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White Christmas
My folks think I'm a serving maid
Each time I visit home;
They do not dream I ply a trade
As old as Greece or Rome;
For if they found I'd fouled their name
And was not white as snow,
I'm sure that they would die of shame . . .
Please, God, they'll never know.
I clean the paint from off my face,
In sober black I dress;
Of coquetry I leave no trace
To give them vague distress;
And though it causes me a pang
To play such sorry tricks,
About my neck I meekly hang
A silver crufix.
And so with humble step I go
Just like a child again,
To greet their Christmas candle-glow,
A soul without a stain;
So well I play my contrite part
I make myself believe
There's not a stain within my heart
On Holy Christmas Eve.
With double natures we are vext,
And what we feel, we are;
A saint one day, a sinner next,
A red light or a star;
A prostitute or proselyte,
And in each part sincere:
So I become a vestal white
One week in every year.
For this I say without demur
From out life's lurid lore,
Each righteous women has in her
A tincture of the whore;
While every harpy of the night,
As I have learned too well;
Holds in her heart a heaven-light
To ransom her from hell.
So I'll go home and sweep and dust;
I'll make the kitchen fire,
And be a model of daughters just
The best they could desire;
I'll fondle them and cook their food,
And Mother dear will say:
"Thank God! my darling is as good
As when she went away."
But after New Year's Day I'll fill
My bag and though they grieve,
I'll bid them both good-bye until
Another Christmas Eve;
And then . . . a knock upon the door:
I'll find them waiting there,
And angel-like I'll come once more
In answer to their prayer.
Then Lo! one night when candle-light
Gleams mystic on the snow,
And music swells of Christmas bells,
I'll come, no more to go:
The old folks need my love and care,
Their gold shall gild my dross,
And evermore my breast shall bear
My little silver cross.
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Come Home, Father!
'Tis The
SONG OF LITTLE MARY,
Standing at the bar-room door
While the shameful midnight revel
Rages wildly as before.
Father, dear father, come home with me now!
The clock in the steeple strikes one;
You said you were coming right home from the shop,
As soon as your day's work was done.
Our fire has gone out our house is all dark
And mother's been watching since tea, --
With poor brother Benny so sick in her arms,
And no one to help her but me. --
Come home! come home! come home! --
Please, father, dear father, come home. --
Hear the sweet voice of the child
Which the night winds repeat as they roam!
Oh who could resist this most plaintive of prayers?
"Please, father, dear father, come home."
Father, dear father, come home with me now!
The clock in the steeple strikes two;
The night has grown colder, and Benny is worse
But he has been calling for you.
Indeed he is worse Ma says he will die,
Perhaps before morning shall dawn; --
And this is the message she sent me to bring
"Come quickly, or he will be gone." --
Come home! come home! come home! --
Please, father, dear father, come home. --
Hear the sweet voice of the child
Which the night winds repeat as they roam!
Oh who could resist this most plaintive of prayers?
"Please, father, dear father, come home."
Father, dear father, come home with me now!
The clock in the steeple strikes three;
The house is so lonely the hours are so long
For poor weeping mother and me.
Yes, we are alone poor Benny is dead,
And gone with the angels of light; --
And these were the very last words that he said
"I want to kiss Papa good night." --
Come home! come home! come home! --
Please, father, dear father, come home. --
Hear the sweet voice of the child
Which the night winds repeat as they roam!
Oh who could resist this most plaintive of prayers?
"Please, father, dear father, come home."
poem by Henry Clay Work
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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