Be good, little children, your mother will say

1 "Be good, little children," your mother will say,
She will whisper it soft in your ear,
And ofttimes repeat it, by night and by day,
That you may not forget it, my dear.
The ant at its work, and the flower-loving bee,
And the sweet little bird in the wood,
As it warbles its song from its nest in the tree,
Seem to say, "Little children, be good."

2 "Be good," says the Bible, that volume of love,
Which the wisest delight to obey,
And the truths which it teaches will lead you above,
When death calls the spirit away.
As sure as the brook to the river doth run,
And the river to ocean's broad wave,
This rule, if well learn'd, in the cradle, my dears,
Will prove your best wealth in the grave.

Source: Linden Harp: a rare collection of popular melodies adapted to sacred and moral songs, original and selected. Illustrated. Also a manual of... #99