Little Joe - Bill Monroe

Mother, what will Thomas, the old gardener say

When you ask him for flowers for me?

Will he give you a rose he has tended with care?

The fairest, fairest broom on the tree

What will the birds do, mother, in the spring?

Will they gather the crumbs around our door?

Will they fly from the trees and tap at my window

Asking why Joe wanders out no more?

What will the kitten do, mother, all alone?

Will he stop from his frolic for a day?

Will he lie on the rug by the side of my bed

As he did before I went away?

I’ve seen tears come in his honest eyes

But he said it was the wind that brought 'em there

As he gazed on my cheeks growing paler everyday

His hand trembled over my hair

Keep Tag, mother, my poor little dog

I know he will mourn for me too

Keep him in old and unless he grows

Sleeping all along summer through

Show him my coat, mother, so he’ll not forget

His master then will be dead

Speak to him kindly and often of Joe

Pat him on his brown shaggy head

And you, mother dear, may you miss me for a while?

But in heaven no larger I grow

And any kind angel will open the gate

When you ask for your darling Little Joe

And any kind angel will open the gate

When you ask for your darling Little Joe