A popular song from 1915.
Words by Will Dillon.
Music by Albert Von Tilzer.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- A mother was kneeling to pray
For loved ones at war far away
And there by her side
Her one joy and pride
Knelt down with her that day
Then came a knock on the door
Your boy is commanded to war
No, Captain please, here on my knees
I plead for one I adore
Chorus
Don’t take my darling boy away from me
Don’t send him off to war
You took his father and brothers three
Now you come back for more
Who are the heroes that fight your wars
Mothers who have no say
But my duty’s done, so for God’s sake leave one
And don’t take my darling boy away
- A hero is now laid to rest
A hero and one of the best
She fought with each son
The battles he’d won
And the battles that proved a test
Tho’ she never went to the war
She was the hero by far
They gave the guns, but who gave the sons
M-O-T-H-E-R
Sung here by Vancha March: