When Mother Sleeps

When mother sleeps, a slamming door

Disturbs her not at all;

A man might walk across the floor

Or wander through the hall

A pistol shot outside would not

Drive slumber from her eyes —

But she is always on the spot

The moment baby cries.

The thunder crash she would not hear,

Nor shouting in the street;

A barking dog, however near,

Of sleep can never cheat

Dear mother, but I've noticed this

To my profound surprise:

That always wide-awake she is

The moment baby cries.

However weary she may be,

Though wrapped in slumber deep,

Somehow it always seems to me

Her vigil she will keep.

Sound sleeper that she is, I take

It in her heart there lies

A love that causes her to wake

The moment baby cries.