The boy of my tenderest care,
The boy that was once my joy and light,
The child of my love and prayer ?
Oh, where is my boy to-night ?
Oh, where is my boy to-night ?
My heart o'erflows, for I love him he knows !
Oh, where is my boy to-night ?
2 Once he was pure as morning dew,
As he knelt at his mother's knee;
No face was so bright, no heart more
And none was so sweet as he, [true,
3 Oh, could I see you now, my boy,
As fair as in olden time, [a joy,
When prattle and smile made home
And life was a merry chime !
4 Go for my wandering boy to-night;
Go, search for him where you will ;
But bring him to me with all his blight,
And tell him I love him still !