Father, dear father, come home with me now,
the clock in the steeple strikes one,
You said you were coming right home from the shop,
as soon as your days work was done.
Our fire has gone out, the house is all dark,
and mother's been watching since tea…
With poor brother Benny so sick in her arms,
And no one to help her but me.

Hear the sweet voice of the child,
which the night winds repeat as they roam,
Come home! Come home!
Oh, father, dear father come home.

Father, dear father, come home with me now,
the clock in the steeple strikes two,
The night has grown colder and Benny is worse,
but he has been calling for you.
Indeed he is worse, ma says he will die,
perhaps before morning shall dawn.
And this is the message she sent me to bring,
come quickly or he will be gone!

Father, dear father, come home with me now,
the clock in the steeple strikes three,
The house is so lonely, the hours are so long,
for poor weeping mother and me.
Yes, we are alone. Poor Benny is dead,
and gone with the angels of light.
And these are the very last words that he said:
"I want to kiss papa goodnight."

Hear the sweet voice of the child,
which the night winds repeat as they roam,
Come home! Come home!
Oh, father, dear father come home.