This version is a poem printed in the Rockland County Messenger (New York State), 8 June 1854. These same lyrics are also found in sheet music, with three different tunes.

I CANNOT CALL HER MOTHER
(by Miss Sarah T. Bolton)

The marriage rite is over,
And though I turned aside,
To keep the guests from seeing
The tears I could not hide,
I wreath'd my face in smiling,
And led my little brother,
To greet my father's chosen,
But I could not call her mother.

She is a fair young creature,
With a meek and gentle air,
With blue eyes soft and loving,
And silken sunny hair—
I know my father gives her
The love he bore another,
But if she were an angel
I could not call her mother.

To night I heard her singing
A song I used to love,
When its sweet notes were uttered
By her who sings above:
It pained my heart to hear it,
And my tears I could not smother,
For every word was hallowed
By the dear voice of my mother.

My father, in the sunshine
Of happy days to come,
May half forget the shadow
That darkened our old home;
His heart no more is lonely,
But me and little brother
Must still be orphan children,
God can give us but one mother.

They've borne my mother's picture
From its accustomed place,
And set beside my father's
A younger, fairer face;
They've made her dear old chamber
The boudoir of another,
But I will not forget thee,
My own, my angel mother.

Duke University has sheet music, published 1854. Lyrics by Sarah T. Bolton, melody by R. Sinclair.



This page has sheet music published 1855 with music by Harry Harrison and unattributed lyrics.

This page (published 1880) has music by W.P. Chamberlain and unattributed lyrics.

This page (published 1854) has music attributed to R. Sinclair and the same lyrics, attributed to Mrs. Sarah Bolton.