Cat. #0185 (MFH #46) - As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on July 10, 1958
VERSE 1
T'was early, early on one spring
Th flowers bloomed and the air was mild
Th little birds poured forth their lay
And everything in nature smiled
VERSE 2
In pleasant thought, I wandered on
Beneath th green woods and full shade
Till suddenly I came upon
Two children that had hithered strayed
VERSE 3
Just at a age-ed birch tree foot
A little boy and girl reclined
Her hand in his, she kindly put
And then I saw th boy was blind
VERSE 4
O Mary, said, that poor blind boy
That little birds sang very long
Say, do you see him in his joy
And is he pretty as his song
VERSE 5
Yes, Edward yes, replied th maid
I see that bird on yondos tree
Th poor boy sighed and gently said,
Sister, I wish that I could see
VERSE 6
Yet, I th fragrant flowers can smell
And I can feel th green leaves shade
And I can hear th notes that swell
From those dear birds that god has made
VERSE 7
O, Mary, he's so good to me
Tho' sight alas, he has not given
Please tell me are there any blind
Among th children up in heaven
VERSE 8
No, dearest Edward, their all see
But why for do you ask a thing so odd
O, Mary, he's so good to me
I thought I'd like to look at God
VERSE 9
Er' long disease its hand had laid
On that poor boy, so meek and mild
His widow-ed Mother wept and prayed
That God would spare her silent child
VERSE 10
He felt th warm tears on her face
And said, dear Mother, don't weep for me
For I'm going to a bright, bright place
Where Mary says, I God shall see
VERSE 11
And you will come there, Mary too
An' Mother when, you get up there
Tell Edward, Mother, that it's you
For you know I never saw you here
VERSE 12
He spoke no more but sweetly smiled
Until a final blow was given
And God took up that poor blind boy
And opened first his eyes in heaven