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The Dying Nun 
The Dying Nun 
Let the air blow in upon me Let me see the midnight sky, Stand back, sisters, from around me God, it is so hard to die. 
Raise my pillow up by Martha Sister Martha, you were kind Come and stand along beside me E'er I leave you all behind 
Hold my hand, so cold and frozen, Once they were so soft and white, 
And this ring that...from me (once taken from me?) Clasped my finger once so tight 
Little ring they thought so worthless Thought they'd let me keep it there Only a plain golden circlet With a lock of Douglas' hair. 
O, my father, O my mother Can you not forget the past? When you hear a stranger tell you How your stray lamb died at last. 
And of all that once did love me Who will weep when I am dead? Only you, O sister Martha Keep your watch around my bed. 
Sister Martha, sister Martha You were kinder than the rest, Raise my head and let me lean it While I live upon your breast. 
I was thinking of some music That I heard long, long ago O, how sweet the nuns were singing In the chapel soft and low. 
But a strain of Heaven music 
Breaks the solemn midnight dream And I hear the modigals (madrigals?) feeling And I seem to float with Him. 
Douglas, Douglas, I am coming Where you are I too will rest Freed at last, I come, my dearest Death gives back your little cleft. 
Sister Martha, are you near me, Has the moon gone down so soon? O, the cell is cold as winter Though I know that it is June. 
Sister, your white bed lying Sleeping in the dimly light Though your dreams come true, my vision Clara dies alone tonight. 
From the Max Hunter Collection Collected from Mrs. Laura McDonald, Springfield, AR 1958