Lyrics:
Poor little Nellie is weeping tonight,
Thinking of days that were full of delight.
Lonely she sits by the old kitchen grate,
Sighing for mother but now 'tis too late.
Under the daisies now covered with snow,
Rests the fond mother away from life's woe;
Nellie is left now to murmur and weep,
“Why did they dig Ma's grave so deep?”
chorus:
Why did they dig Ma's grave so deep,
Down in the clay so deep?
Why did they leave me here to weep—
Why did they dig Ma's grave so deep?
Only sweet mem'ries of gladness and love
Come to the child of the dear one above,
Shadows are creeping around the lone room,
Early and late there's a feeling of gloom.
Out in the churchyard the wild breezes blow,
Seeming to echo her heart's grief and woe;
Softly she murmurs, while chills o'er her creep,
“Why did they dig Ma's grave so deep?”
Poor little Nellie in slumber's sweet rest,
Dreams all the night of the mother so blest,
Sees her again in a vision of light,
Praying, “God bless little Nellie tonight!”
Smiling upon her with glorified face,
Calling her home to that bright resting place;
Poor little Nellie oft sighs in her sleep,
“Why did they dig Ma's grave so deep?”
