Darling Little Joe

What will the birds do, mother, in the spring
Will they gather their crumbs around my door
Will they fly from the trees and tap at my window
Asking why Joe wanders out no more

What will the kitten do, mother all alone
Will he stop from his frolic for a day
Will he lie on the rug by the side of my bed
Like he did before I went away

What will Thomas the old gardener say
When you ask him for flowers for me
Will he give you the rose he has tended with care
The first fairest bloom on the tree

I saw the tears come in his honest eyes
But he said 'twas the wind that brought them there
As he gazed on my cheeks growing paler each day
And his hand trembled over my hair

Keep Tag, mother, my poor little dog
I know he'll mourn for me too
Keep him till blind and useless he grows
Sleeping the whole summer through

Show him my coat, mother, so he won't forget
His master who then will be dead
Speak to him kindly and often, you know
Pat him on his brown shaggy head

And you, dearest mother, will miss me for a while
But in heaven I'll no larger grow
And any kind angel will know at the gate
When you ask for your darling little Joe