M-O-T-H-E-R

. . . A word that means the world to me, 1915.
words by Howard Johnson
music by Theodore F. Morse


The sheet music:


Accompaniment:


Lyrics

  1. I’ve been around the world, you bet, but never went to school
    Hard knocks are all I seem to get, perhaps I’ve been a fool
    But still, some educated folks, supposed to be so swell
    Would fail, if they were called upon a simple word to spell
    Now if you’d like to put me to a test
    There’s one dear name that I can spell the best

Chorus
“M” is for the million things she gave me
“O” means only that she’s growing old
“T” is for the tears were shed to save me
“H” is for her heart of purest gold
“E” is for her eyes, with lovelight shining
“R” means right, and right she’ll always be
Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER”
A word that means the world to me

  1. When I was but a baby, long before I learned to walk
    While lying in my cradle, I would try my best to talk
    It wasn’t long, before I spoke, and all the neighbors heart
    My folks were very proud of me for “Mother was the word
    Although I’ll never lay a claim to fame
    I’m satisfied that I can spell this name

Chorus
“M” is for the mercy she possesses
“O” means that I owe her all I own
“T” is for her tender sweet caresses
“H” is for her hands that made a home
“E” means everything she’s done to help me
“R” means real and regular, you see
Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER”
A word that means the world to me


Sung here by Fred Feild: