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The Loved Ones 413

Tune: Isaac B. Woodbury, 1847; Arranged by E. T. Pound, 1859; Arranged by Karen Willard, 2010
Lyrics: Margaret Courtney, 1822-1862
Meter: 11s,8s Double (11,8,11,8,11,8,11,8)
Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young,
Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accent that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thy innocent glee.
Be kind to thy father, for now he is old,
His locks intermingled with gray;
His footsteps are feeble, once fearless and bold,
Thy father is passing away.

Be kind to thy mother, for low on her brow
May traces of sorrow be seen;
O well may’st thou comfort and cherish her now,
For gentle and kind has she been,
Remember thy mother, for thee she will pray,
As long as God giveth her breath;
With actions of kindness then cheer her lone way
E’en to the dark valley of death.