Shivering in the Cold

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Far back in my childhood

Author: Knowles Shaw
Tune: [Far back in my childhood, I remember to-day]
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Far back in my childhood, I remember to-day,
I was happy and beloved, ere I wandered away.
I was taught by my mother, who sleeps 'neath the stone,
And caressed by my father, but I wander alone.

Chorus:
Yes, alone, all alone,
And I feel I'm growing old;
Yet I wander, oh, how lonely,
I am shiv'ring in the cold.

2 I remember the maiden, and my heart bleeds to tell,
How I loved her, her devotion--but on this I can not dwell.
We were wed--our path was pleasant, and the sun of fortune shone,
But alas! I took to drinking, and I wander alone. [Chorus]

3 I remember, too, my children, how they climbed upon my knee,
As I kissed my little darlings, in the days when I was free.
But I squandered all my fortune, I'm now without a home,
I know it's all from drinking, that I wander alone. [Chorus]

4 But why do I stand trembling and blighted by this curse?
I know I am not mending, I am only growing worse.
I wander lone and friendless, I know I'm growing old,
No home, no food, nor shelter, I am shiv'ring in the cold. [Chorus]

5 Oh, can I break this bondage--this awful chain in twain?
Can I escape these shackles? can I be free again?
Oh, help me, friends of temperance, my bondage is untold,
While I wander lone and friendless--shiv'ring in the cold. [Chorus]

Source: The Morning Star: a collection of new sacred songs, for the Sunday school, prayer meeting, and the social circle #98

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Author: Knowles Shaw

Knowles Shaw (1834-1878), a name familiar in many western households--was born near New London, in Morgan Township, Ohio, on the 13th of October, 1834. His mother's maiden name was Huldah Griffin, and by both of his parents he was of Scottish extraction. His early life was spent in Rush County, Indiana, where he first began to play the violin, furnishing the music for many a dance. While the ball was going on he was converted, ceasing to play in the middle of the piece he was performing. Very soon thereafter he entered the ministry of the Christian Church. On the 11th of January, 1855, he married Miss Martha Finley. Most of his time after entering the ministry was spent in the West and South, and on account of his wonderful vocal powers he… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Far back in my childhood
Title:	Shivering in the Cold
Author:	Knowles Shaw
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Yes, alone, all alone
Copyright:	Public Domain