I Have An Aged Mother - The Carter Family

Last night while I lay sleeping

Last night while in a dream

I saw my dear old mother

Down by a rippling stream

Don’t ask me why I’m weeping

Don’t ask me why I pray

For I’ve an aged mother

10,000 miles away

A letter here from sister dear

Come home, we’re all alone

Dear mother’s slowly fading

She can’t be with us long

Don’t ask me why I’m weeping

Don’t ask me why I pray

I’ve a dear old mother dying

10,000 miles away

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay

Out in the cold world

Long ways from home

I’m drawing near the old home

Dear sister’s at the gate

She’s leading me through the doorway

Oh, brother, you’ve come too late

Oh, lead me to the casket

Throw back the linen so fine

That I may kiss her pale white lips

For I know they’ll never kiss mine

I see the pale moon shining

On mother’s white tombstone

The rosebuds 'round them twining

Are just like me alone

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay

Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay

Out in the cold world

Left all alone