Last night while I lay sleeping Last night while in a dream I saw my dear old mother Down by a rippling stream Don't ask me why I'm weeping Don't ask me why I pray For I've an aged mother 10,000 miles away A letter here from sister dear Come home, we're all alone Dear mother's slowly fading She can't be with us long Don't ask me why I'm weeping Don't ask me why I pray I've a dear old mother dying 10,000 miles away Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay Out in the cold world Long ways from home I'm drawing near the old home Dear sister's at the gate She's leading me through the doorway Oh, brother, you've come too late Oh, lead me to the casket Throw back the linen so fine That I may kiss her pale white lips For I know they'll never kiss mine I see the pale moon shining On mother's white tombstone The rosebuds 'round them twining Are just like me alone Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay Out in the cold world Left all alone