Mother, mother, let me kiss thee
Once again, before I die;
Let me clasp my arms around thee, –
On thy bosom let me lie.
Earth is fleeting, fast decaying
From my weary, weary sight;
Dearest mother, let me kiss thee
Ere I bid a long “Good night.”

Ah! ’tis painful, very painful,
Thus to meet the silent tomb;
Turn from all that’s bright and lovely
And endure the fearful gloom.
Forced from all the little pleasures,
That e’er joy’d my youthful mind,
Innocence and love and friendship,
Every cherished thing resigned.

Ah! how sorely it doth grieve me,
Gentle mother, thus to know
That I may not live to cheer thee
When thou art oppressed with woe;
Thus to leave thee, and forever
From my friends and home to part;
Ev’ry tie of love to sever,
That has bound my hopeful heart.

Hark! the birds are sweetly singing
Now, their grateful evening lays.
See! the glorious sun is setting;
O! how beautiful his rays.
Farewell! all ye lovely visions
Ye have solaced me below;
Beauteous nature, fare thee well,
I must leave thee, now, and go.

Mother, mother! I am going
To a land of peace and rest,
Where the bitter tears of anguish,
Ne’er bedew the aching breast;
Where the soul escap’d forever
This frail tenement of clay
Beams irradian, with splendor,
In a bright, eternal day.

Mother, mother! I must leave thee, –
See the clammy, death-like frost,
Herald the King of terrors,
Standing fearful on my breast.
O! the beauteous, peaceful haven
Of that blessed land, in sight,
Mother, mother! Jesus calls me,
I must go: – good night. Good night.

Author: James P. Howell

Signs of the Times
Volume 27, Number 5; March 1, 1859

Below are the songs that were made from the poem using AI. They are identified
by the genre of the music in paranthesis.