Over the Hills to the Poorhouse

Oh how can it be they have driven
Their father so helpless and old
Oh God may their crimes be forgiven
To perish out here in the cold

I'm old I'm helpless and feeble
And the days of my youth have gone by
And it's over the hill to the poor house
I must wander alone there to die

Long years since Mary was taken
My faithful affectionate wife
Since then I've been alone and forsaken
The light has died out of my life

I'm old I'm helpless and feeble
And the days of my youth have gone by
And it's over the hill to the poor house
I must wander alone there to die

I gave them the house they were born in
A deed to the farm and more
I gave them the place that they lived on
And now I am turned from it's door

Oh me on the doorstep up yonder
I've set with my babe's on my knee
No father so happy or fonder
Than I of my little ones three