Cat. #0206 (MFH #138) - As sung by Mrs. Laura McDonald, Springdale, Arkansas on July 23, 1958
VERSE 1
Let th air blow in upon me
Let me see th midnight sky
Stand back sisters, from around me
God, it t'is so hard to die
VERSE 2
Raise my pillow up by Martha
Sister Martha, you were kind
Come and stand along beside me
Er' I leave you all behind
VERSE 3
Hold my hand, so cold and frozen
Once they were so soft and white
And this ring that fell far from me
Clasp my finger once so tight
VERSE 4
Little ring, they thought so worthless
Thought they'd let me keep it there
Only a plain golden circlet
With a lock of Douglas's hair
VERSE 5
O, my Father, O, my Mother
Can you not forget th past
When you hear a stranger tell you
How your stray lamb died at last
VERSE 6
And of all that once did love me
Who will weep when I am dead
Only you, O sister Martha
Keep your watch around my bed
VERSE 7
Sister Martha, sister Martha,
You were kinder than th rest
Raise my head and let me lean it
While I live, upon your breast
VERSE 8
I was thinking of some music
That I heard long, long ago
O, how sweet th nuns were singing
In th chapel, soft an' low
VERSE 9
But a strain of Heaven music
Breaks th solemn midnight dream
And I hear th modigals feeling
And I seem to float with him
VERSE 10
Douglas, Douglas, I am coming
Where you are I to will rest
Freed at last, I come my dearest
Death gives back your little cleft
VERSE 11
Sister Martha, are you near me
Has th moon gone down so soon
O, th cell is cold as winter
Tho' I know that it is June
VERSE 12
Sister, your white bed lying
Sleeping in th dimly light
Tho' your dreams come true my vision
Clara dies alone tonight