Cat. #1274 (MFH #885) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on October 26, 1971
VERSE 1
In our ole dirty attic a house, wandered one day
On th floor, with shavins, dirty poor little boy lay
Why are you laying here, in th cold
What makes you on this old bed
My Father's a drunkard, an' my Mother is dead
VERSE 2
I'm hiding from Father, please sir, don't tell
He beat me because I won't steal
He said, he would kill me, th next time
I'm so 'fraid, he will
I said, I'm leavin' you here, Son
But I'll be back right away
But when I returned to th attic
I found that Jesus had been there, that day
When I returned to th attic th shavins was as before
Th little boy lay on th bed
With tear drops in his eyes
An' his hands by his side
Is th poor little boy was dead
VERSE 3
A picture of his Mother lay close to his heart
A little note by his bed
As I opened th paper, was tears in my eyes
For there was the words, he said
I'm leavin ' with Jesus, cross th divide
With Mother forever I'll dwell
I thank you, dear Mr. for bein' kind to me
An' now it's alright if you tell