On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away

'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

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

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