Sit down by the side of your mother, my boy You have only a moment, I know If you wait til I give you my parting advice It is all I have to bestow Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right Wheresoever your footsteps may roam Don't forsake not the way of salvation, my boy You have learned from your mother at home I gave you to God in your cradle, my boy I have taught you the best that I knew And as long as His mercy permits me to live I shall never cease praying for you Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right Wheresoever your footsteps may roam Don't forsake not the way of salvation, my boy You have learned from your mother at home You will find in this bundle a Bible, my boy It's a book of all others best It will teach you to live and prepare you to die And will lead to the gates of the blessed Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right Wheresoever your footsteps may roam Don't forsake not the way of salvation, my boy You have learned from your mother at home You leave us to seek for employment, my boy You have yet of the world to be tried But in all of the struggles and temptations you meet May you and your Saviour confide Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right Wheresoever your footsteps may roam Don't forsake not the way of salvation, my boy You have learned from your mother at home