Historic Sheet Music Collection
Document Type
Score
Publication Date
1909
Lyrics
VERSE 1
At a little cottage gate,
Looking down the village street,
Stands a mother old in years and bent with care;
Ev’ry day she comes to watch,
Till the evening shadows meet,
But the one for whom she longs does not appear.
As the darkness closes round her,
And she turns with tott’ring steps,
Back to the home once bright and dear;
She will murmur soft and low,
If my little Nell could know,
She would come back once again before I go.
REFRAIN
Won’t you come back to your mother Nell
Back to the one whose love is true
She loves you just the same
Tho’ you caused her bitter shame
Yes this same kind loving mother longs for you.
VERSE 2
Ah my child you do not know,
How your mother plead for you,
When your father cold and stern sent you away;
How she tried to turn his wrath,
For she knew your heart was true,
But he answered, she deceived and shall not stay.
But the grief just broke his heart Nell,
Laid him low before his time,
Long years beneath the sod he’s lain;
But your mother’s left to mourn,
Hope and pray for your return,
For a sight of your dear face her heart doth yearn.
REFRAIN
Recommended Citation
McMahon, Alice S., "Won't You Come Back to Your Mother, Nell?" (1909). Historic Sheet Music Collection. 1737.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/1737
The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.
Comments
Illustrator: E.H. Pfeiffer, N.Y
Published by A. S. McMahon, Waterbury, Conn.
Copyright MCMIX by A.S. McMahon.
“Some of these resources may contain offensive stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of the attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.”