A Yiddishe Mame (Miller's Death)

Of things I should be thankful for

I've had a goodly share;

And as I sit here in the comfort,

Of my cozy chair;

My fancy takes me to a humble,

East-side tenement;

Three flights up in the rear to where

my childhood days were spent.

It wasn't much like paradise

But mid the dirt and all;

There sat the sweetest angel

One that I fondly call

My Yiddishe mama

I need her more than ever now

My Yiddishe mama

I'd like to kiss that wrinkled brow

I long to hold her hands once more

As in days gone by

And ask her to forgive me

For things i did to make her cry;

How few were her pleasures!

She never cared for fashion styles;

Her jewels and treasures

She found them in her babies' smiles;

Oh I know what I owe what I am

To that dear little lady

So old and grey,

To that Yiddishe mama