Little Bessie [core]

Hug me closer, mother closer
Put your arms around me tight
For I'm cold and tired dear mother
And I feel so strange tonight

Something hurts me here dear mother
Like a stone upon my breast
And I wonder, mother, wonder
Why it is I cannot rest

All the day while you were working
As I lay upon my bed
I was trying to be patient
And to think of what you said

Just before the lamps were lighted
Just before the children came
While the room was very quiet
I heard someone call my name

All at once a window opened
On a field of lambs and sheep
Some were at the brook a-drinking
Some were lying fast asleep

In a moment I was looking
On a world so bright and fair
Which was filled with little children
And they seemed so happy there

They were singing oh so sweetly
Sweetest songs I've ever heard
They were singing sweeter mother
Than our darling little birds

Come up here, my little Bessie
Come up here, and live with me
Where little children never suffer
Through the long eternity

In the solemn hour of midnight
In the silence long and deep
Lying on her mother's bosom
Little Bessie fell asleep

Now up yonder at the portals
That are shining very fair
Little Bessie now is tended
By her Savior's loving care

Listen to this song

This Song Clip was recorded in the key of E. (Click below to play.)

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Get Started Plus: Core Songs Edition
100 Core Songs (including Little Bessie) plus our acclaimed playing-by-ear learning method.
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Big Print Songs
222 traditional songs, including Little Bessie, in large print. Chords, historical info, jamming hints, and more.
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Core Songs CD Series

Five CDs, 100 songs, including Little Bessie. Recordings from the Abbott family and their friends.
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A song from the Mountain Music for Everyone Song Collection from the ToneWay Project. Our website has lyrics to nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. Most songs also include a free MP3 recording that you can listen to. The ToneWay Project also offers songbooks, CDs, and resources for learning to play music by ear. http://ToneWay.com