There Is No School Today

‘‘Twas on a common street she lived,
Her mothers eye, the occasional glance,
While playing on skates with other kids,
Sometimes on wheels she’d try to dance,
But rising early she’d always say,
“The bestest news that I can hear,
There is no school today”

Until one night this shadow appeared,
To cross the loveliest face of all.
With tears in her eyes her mother feared,
No more she’d hear her angel call,
Those same few words she’d always say,
“The bestest news that I can hear,
There is no school today”

‘Tis in the early morning, the church-bell it did ring,
As school kids gather round, to fiddle and to prate.
The choir sets up for there’s hymns to sing,
As the hearse stands still beside the church gate,
While a thousand penny-candles say,
“The bestest news that I can hear,
There is no school today”

‘‘Twas on a common street she lived,
Yet still her mothers eye, that occasional glance she’d give,
Roller-skates abandoned, no longer do they dance.
Those kids are all grown up now, with boyfriends and romance,
But still her mother hears her angle daughter say,
“The bestest news that you can hear, I’m back at school today”