Hug me closer, mother, closer Put your arms around me tight For I am cold and tired dear motherYet, I feel so strong tonight Something hurts me here dear mother Like a stone upon my breastOh I wonder, mother, wonder Why it is I cannot rest All the day while you were working As I lay upon my bedI was trying to be patient And to think of what you said How the king, dear blessed Jesus Loves his lambs to watch and keepOh, I wish he would come and take me In his arms that I might sleep Just before the lamps were lighted Just before the children cameWhile the room was very quiet I heard someone call my name All at once a window opened On a field of lambs and sheepSome far out in a brook were drinking Some were lying fast asleep In a moment I was looking On a world so bright and fairWhich was filled with little children And they seemed so happy there They were singing oh so sweetly Sweetest songs I ever heardThey were singing sweeter, mother Than our darling little birds But I could not see the savior Tho' I strained my eyes to seeAnd I wondered if he saw me Would he speak to such as me All at once a window opened One so bright upon me smiled And I knew it must be JesusWhen he said, come here my child Come up here my little bessie Come up here and live with me Where little children never suffer Never suffer through eternityThen I thought of all you'd told me Of that bright and happy land I was going when you called me When you came and kissed my handAnd at first I felt so sorry You had called and I would go Oh, to sleep and never sufferMother, don't be crying so Hug me closer, mother, closer Put your arms around me tight Oh, how much I love you, mother And how strong I feel tonight And the mother pressed her closerTo her own dear burdened breast On the heart so near its breaking Lay the heart so near its restAt the solemn hour of midnight In the darkness calm, and deep Lying on her mother's bosom Little bessie fell asleep
