ORIGINAL VERSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 262, 15 April 1915, Page 3

ORIGINAL VERSE.

A NIGHTLY PRAYER. Since Tommy has gone to the war, you know, Matilda and me help with the cows, and so We're pretty tired when we are done at night, And hate to get up before daylight; But we rise at once when we hear dad call, And in the dark we sometimes fall Going out to the cold cowsh«d, And we often wish all the cows were dead. Tommy has gone quite a time, you know, And the night before he was to go Matilda and me to bed were sent, But we crept out again, for we meant To listen—'twas wrong, but we wanted to hear What Dad and Mum said to Tommy dear; So we opened the door a little way, And heard our dear Daddy say: "It's no use crying, Mother; come brush your tears away; Our boy was born to take his place inn, the ranks of the men to-day Who barken tothd call of the Empire, who hasten to meet the foe On any sea or any land they are bade to go. So dry your eyes, now Mother, for in reality Our boys goes out to fight for you and me." Matilda and me crept back to bed And together a little prayer we said; We prayed to God, wdio is our Lord, To save from bullet and from sword, To save from pain and agony All those who go across the sea To fight for us and all they love — That's our nightly prayer to God above. —George Odey. Pungarehu, April 12.