Mother Knows

Nobody knows of the work it makes
To keep the home together,
Nobody knows of the steps it takes,
Nobody knows but mother;
Nobody listens to the childish woes,
Which kisses only smother,
Nobody’s pain’d by the mighty blow,
Nobody,—only mother.

Nobody knows of the sleepless care
Bestowed on baby brother,
Nobody knows of the tender pray’r,
Nobody knows but mother;
Nobody knows of the lessons taught,
Of loving one another;
Nobody knows of the patience sought,
Nobody,—only mother.

Nobody knows of the anxious fears,
Lest darlings may not weather,
Storms of this life in the coming years,
Nobody knows but mother;
Nobody knows of the tears that start,
The grief she gladly smother,
Nobody knows of the breaking heart,
Nobody,—only mother.

Nobody clings to the wayward child,
Tho’ scorn’d by ev’ry other,
Leads it so gently from pathways wild,
Nobody can but mother;
Nobody knows of the hourly pray’r,
For him, our erring brother,
Pride of hear heart, once so pure and fair,
Nobody,—only mother.