Little Bessie (Live)

Hug me closer, mother, closer

Put your arms around me tight

For I am cold and tired dear mother

Yet, I feel so strong tonight

Something hurts me here dear mother

Like a stone upon my breast

Oh I wonder, mother, wonder

Why it is I cannot rest

All the day while you were working

As I lay upon my bed

I was trying to be patient

And to think of what you said

How the king, dear blessed Jesus

Loves his lambs to watch and keep

Oh, I wish he would come and take me

In his arms that I might sleep

Just before the lamps were lighted

Just before the children came

While the room was very quiet

I heard someone call my name

All at once a window opened

On a field of lambs and sheep

Some far out in a brook were drinking

Some were lying fast asleep

In a moment I was looking

On a world so bright and fair

Which was filled with little children

And they seemed so happy there

They were singing oh so sweetly

Sweetest songs I ever heard

They were singing sweeter, mother

Than our darling little birds

But I could not see the savior

Tho' I strained my eyes to see

And I wondered if he saw me

Would he speak to such as me

All at once a window opened

One so bright upon me smiled

And I knew it must be Jesus

When he said, come here my child

Come up here my little bessie

Come up here and live with me

Where little children never suffer

Never suffer through eternity

Then I thought of all you'd told me

Of that bright and happy land

I was going when you called me

When you came and kissed my hand

And at first I felt so sorry

You had called and I would go

Oh, to sleep and never suffer

Mother, don't be crying so

Hug me closer, mother, closer

Put your arms around me tight

Oh, how much I love you, mother

And how strong I feel tonight

And the mother pressed her closer

To her own dear burdened breast

On the heart so near its breaking

Lay the heart so near its rest

At the solemn hour of midnight

In the darkness calm, and deep

Lying on her mother's bosom

Little bessie fell asleep