My Boy Once Again - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
MY BOY ONCE AGAIN. Copyright, 1892, by Scott Washington. Words And Music by Harry S. Miller. 
In a humble cottage home, 'round which sunshine brightly shone, A mother sang her little one to sleep. While she gazed with pride and joy on her darling baby boy, How she wondered what the future had in keep. How those years have quickly flown, how to manhood he has grown, And now about to leave her for the sea. How that mother, sad at heart, said. My son, ere you depart, Oh, heed these few, but truthful, words from me: 
Chorus. Be faithful to your duties, Tom, noble kind and true; And do unto all others as you'd have them do to you. Be cheerful and be manly, and friends thereby retain. And I'll be proud to call you, Tom, my boy once again. 
At the closing of the day see that mother old And gray While gazing on the picture of her boy. As the tear-drops All her eyes, hear her murmur 'twixt her sighs, Will he e'er return to fill my heart with joy? How she kissed him on the day that he sailed so far away, And bade him well, perhaps, the last adieu. How that mother good and kind said, My boy, oh, bear in mind These words and you will ever find them true:--Chorus. 
'Twas a traveler tired and dazed, how upon a scene he gazed Where long ago he played in childish glee. And the church-yard in the vale, all that's left to tell the tale, Of the one he loved and never more should see. Many years have passed away, many changes grave and gay Have taken place within that humble cot. There is no familiar face, not a welcome 'round the place, But mother's words seem 'graven on the spot.- Chorus.