Used to wonder just why father
never had much time for play.
Used to wonder why he'd rather
work each minute of the day.
Used to wonder why he never
loafed along the road an' shirked
can't recall a time when ever
father played while others worked.
Father didn't dress in fashion
sort of hated clothing new
style with him has not a passion,
he had other things in view
boys are blind to much that's going on about'em day by day,
and I had no way of knowing
what became of father's pay.
All I knew was when I needed
shoes I got'em on the spot
everything for which I pleaded
somehow father always got.
Wondered season after season
why he never took a rest
and that I might be the reason
then I never ever guessed.
Father set a store on knowledge
if he'd lived to have his way
he'd have sent me off to college
and the bills been glad to pay.
that I knew was his ambition,
now and then he used to say
he'd have done his earthly mission
on my graduation day.
Saw his cheeks were getting paler
didn't understand just why
saw his body growing frailer
then at last I saw him die.
Rest had come his tasks were ended
calm was written on his brow
fathers life was big and splended
adn I understand it now.
