Cat. #1026 (MFH #171) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on October 28, 1969
VERSE 1
On a summer eve as th sun was settin'
An' th wind blew soft an' dry
A young man lay on his bed with fever
An' th tear stood in his eyes
VERSE 2
O Mother dear, come here an' listen
While I talk awhile with you
I have somethin' thats passed th portrit
An' I must confess to you
VERSE 3
I'm dying Mother, I'm surely dying
An' Hell, it is my doom
Hold my hand and press it tighter
For my heart is filled with gloom
VERSE 4
The other night as I left th meetin'
God's spirit did me stay
I said, not now but next week only
I will go an' dance with glee
VERSE 5
Mother dear, tell all my comr'des
Not to do as I have done
When God calls, do not reject him
Or put 'im off in fun
VERSE 6
Then he took his Mother's hand
And he raised it higher
While th tears stood in his eyes
O Mother dear, don't grieve for me
But it is so hard to die
VERSE 7
Then he asked his Mother as he grew weaker
If she would kneel an' pray
My eyes have dim an' it's gettin' darker
An' I cannot see my way
VERSE 8
Then she knelt down beside his bed
And her voice was tremblin' so
She prayed o God, bless my boy
Please bless an' saved his soul