On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away

by Paul Dresser

[verse 1]:

Cover page to the first edition with Bessie Davis

 
'Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood
Where I first received my lessons Nature’s school
But one thing there is missing in the picture;
Without her face it seems so incomplete
I long to see my mother in the doorway
As she stood there years ago her boy to greet

[refrain]:

 
Oh, the moonlight’s fair tonight along the Wabash;
From the fields there comes the breath of new-mown hay
Through the sycamores the candlelights are gleaming
On the banks of the Wabash, far away

[verse 2]:

 
Many years have passed since I strolled by the river
Arm in arm, with sweetest Mary by my side
It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her;
It was there I begged of her to be my bride
Long years have passed since I strolled thro’ the churchyard
She’s sleeping there, my angel, Mary dear
I loved her but she thought I didn’t mean it
Still I’d give my future were she only here

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