Used to wonder just why father br Never had much time for play, br Used to wonder why he'd rather br Work each minute of the day. br Used to wonder why he never br Loafed along the road an' shirked; br Can't recall a time whenever br Father played while others worked. br br Father didn't dress in fashion, br Sort of hated clothing new; br Style with him was not a passion; br He had other things in view. br Boys are blind to much that's going br On about 'em day by day, br And I had no way of knowing br What became of father's pay. br br All I knew was when I needed br Shoes I got 'em on the spot; br Everything for which I pleaded, br Somehow, father always got. br Wondered, season after season, br Why he never took a rest, br And that I might be the reason br Then I never even guessed. br br Father set a store on knowledge; br If he'd lived to have his way br He'd have sent me off to college br And the bills been glad to pay. br That, I know, was his ambition: br Now and then he used to say br He'd have done his earthly mission br On my graduation day. br br Saw his cheeks were getting paler, br Didn't understand just why; br Saw his body growing frailer, br Then at last I saw him die. br Rest had come! His tasks were ended, br Calm was written on his brow; br Father's life was big and splendid, br And I understand it now.