<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Mother of Three</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Oh</span>, to have a little farm,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">A little hearth so warm and bright,</p><p class="line">And three little boys all safe from harm</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In from the winter night!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A little house with white-washed wall,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And thatched like any golden rick,</p><p class="line">And the little boys within my call,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And they running so quick.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A garden and an apple tree,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And me so busy all the day,</p><p class="line">And the little boys at home with me,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Merry out at their play.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">There was a woman I've heard tell,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Whose three fine sons were killed. For sure</p><p class="line">'Tis good to have them little and well</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And just beyond your door.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">This while back there is something wrong --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">It may be that I miss the boys</p><p class="line">Who filled the house the whole day long</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With happy laughter and noise!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And often when I sit my lone</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The sadness comes and lies on me</p><p class="line">For the poor soul that has no son.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And me having the three!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And it's oh, to have the little farm</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Under the golden thatch so bright,</p><p class="line">And the little boys safe home from harm</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Shut in with me at night!</p></div></body></html> · Great War