I Have An Aged Mother

(album: The Carter Family Volume 1 - 1927-1934 - 2002)

Last night while I lay sleeping
Last night while in a dream
I saw my dear old mother
Down by a rippling stream

Don't ask me why I'm weeping
Don't ask me why I pray
For I've an aged mother
10,000 miles away

A letter here from sister dear
Come home, we're all alone
Dear mother's slowly fading
She can't be with us long

Don't ask me why I'm weeping
Don't ask me why I pray
I've a dear old mother dying
10,000 miles away

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
Out in the cold world
Long ways from home

I'm drawing near the old home
Dear sister's at the gate
She's leading me through the doorway
Oh, brother, you've come too late

Oh, lead me to the casket
Throw back the linen so fine
That I may kiss her pale white lips
For I know they'll never kiss mine

I see the pale moon shining
On mother's white tombstone
The rosebuds 'round them twining
Are just like me alone

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
Out in the cold world
Left all alone