Scripture Verse

Forsake not the law of thy mother. Proverbs 1:8

Introduction

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Ina D. Ogdon (1872–1964)

Words: Ina D. Og­don, in With Heart and Voice, ed­it­ed by Ed­mund S. Lo­renz, H. W. Por­ter & John Fear­is (New York: Lo­renz Pub­lish­ing, 1905), num­ber 54.

Music: John S. Fea­ris (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
John S. Fearis (1867–1932)

Lyrics

Ere you left the homestead in
The vanished long ago,
When your heart was happy, and
Your soul was pure as snow,
You were bade to Je­sus’ feet,
His sheltering love to know;
Don’t forget the promise made to mother.

Don’t forget those tender hands
That soothed your care away;
Don’t forget that gentle face,
Those tresses thin and gray;
And don’t forget her Sav­ior,
Who is calling you today;
Don’t forget the promise made to mother.

When you sought the world, she bade
You take this faithful Friend,
Begged you to confess Him and
In Him your soul defend;
Oft you vowed to claim Him and
To trust Him to the end;
Don’t forget the promise made to mother.

Refrain

Far from grace you wandered in
The weary passing years;
Patiently she suffered and
Endured her grief and fears;
Many times you told her you
Would heed the prayers and tears;
Don’t forget the promise made to mother.

Refrain

Once again you promised when
Her pilgrim work was done,
When she went in triumph to
Receive her golden crown,
When she said, thro’ Christ alone
Were life and vic­to­ry won;
Don’t forget the promise made to mother.

Refrain