What will the birds do mother in the spring
When they stop to gather crumbs around the door
Will they fly from the trees half as nice with glee
Asking why Joe wanders out no more.

What will the kitten do mother all alone
Will he stop from his frolick for the day
Will he lie on his rug by the side of my bed
As he did before I went away.

What will Thomas that old gardener say
When you ask him for flowers for me
Will he give you a rose he has tended with care
The first fairest bloom of the tree.

--- Instrumental ---

I have seen the tears in his honest old eyes
But he said it was the wind that brought them there
As he gazed on my cheeks growing paler each day
And his hand went trembling through my hair.

Keep tied mother my poor little dog
For I know he'll mourn for me too
Just keep him when old and useless he grows
Sleeping the whole summer through.

Show him my coat mother so he'll not forget
His master who then will be dead
Just speak to him kindly and often of Joe
And pat him on his brown shaggy head.

And you dearest mother may miss me for a while
But in heaven I'll no larger grow
And any kind angel will know at the gate
When you ask for your darling little Joe...