MAGDALEN

My father took me by the hand

And led me home again;

( He brought me in from sorrow

As you'd bring a child from rain ).

The child's place at the hearth-stone,

The child's place at the board,

And the picture at the bed's head

Of wee ones wi’ the Lord.

It's just a child come home he sees

To nestle at his arm;

( He brought me in from sorrow

As you'd bring a child from harm ).

And of the two of us who sit

By hearth and candle-light,

There's just one hears a woman's heart

Break — breaking in the night.