Hug me closer, Mother, closer
Put your arms around me tight
For I am cold and tired, dear Mother
And I feel so strong tonight

Something hurts me here, dear Mother
Like a stone upon my breast
Oh, I wonder, Mother, wonder
Why it is I cannot rest

All the day, while you were working
As I lay upon my bed
I was trying to be patient
And to think of what you said

How the King, dear blessed Jesus
Loves his lambs to watch and keep
Oh, I wish he would come and take me
In his arms that I might sleep

Just before the lamps were lighted
Just before the children came
While the room was very quiet
I heard someone call my name

All at once a window opened
On a field of lambs and sheep
Some far out, in a brook were drinking,
Some were lying fast asleep

In a moment, I was looking
On a world so bright and fair
Which was filled with little children,
And they seemed so happy there

They were singing, oh, so sweetly
The sweetest songs I ever heard
They were singing sweeter, Mother,
Than our darling little birds

But I could not see the Savior
Thoí I strained my eyes to see
And I wondered if he saw me
Would he speak to such as me?

All at once a window opened
One so bright upon me smiled,
And I knew it must be Jesus
When He said, ìCome here, my child.î

ìCome up here, my little Bessie.
Come up here, and live with me,
Where little children never suffer,
Suffer through eternity.î

Then I thought of all youíd told me
Of that bright and happy land
I was going when you called me
When you came and kissed my hand

And, at first, I felt so sorry
You had called and I would go
Oh, to sleep and never suffer
Mother, donít be crying so

Hug me closer, Mother, closer
Put your arms around me tight
Oh, how much I love you, Mother
And how strong I feel tonight

And the Mother pressed her closer
To her own dear burdened breast
On the heart so near its breaking
Lay the heart so near its rest

At the solemn hour of midnight
In the darkness, calm and deep
Lying on her Motherís bosom
Little Bessie fell asleep