The Drunkards Child

Cat. #0648 (MFH #156) - As sung by Reba Dearmore, Mountain Home, Arkansas on January 7, 1969

VERSE 1
O Papa, dear Papa come home with me now
Th clock in th steeple strikes one
You said, you were coming right home from th shop
As soon as your days work was down
Come home, come home
O Papa, dear Papa, come home
Come home, come home
Please Papa, dear Papa, come home

VERSE 2
O Papa, dear Papa, come home with me now
Th clock in th steeple strikes two
Th house is so lonely an' Benny is worse
An' he has been caling for you
Indeed, he is worse Mamma thinks he will die
Perhaps before morning shall dawn
An' this is the message she sent me to bring
Come quickly or he will be gone
O Papa, dear Papa, come home
Come home, come home
Please Papa, dear Papa, come home

VERSE 3
O Papa, dear Papa, come home with me now
Th clock in th steeple strikes three
Th house is so lonely, th hours are so long
For poor weeping Mamma an' me
Yes, we are alone, poor Benny is dead
An' gone with th angels of light
An these are th very last words, that he said
I want to kiss Papa, goodnight
O Papa, dear Papa, come home
Come home, come home
Please Papa, dear Papa, come home

Variants