1 My father, my mother, I know,
I cannot your kindness repay,
But I hope that as older I grow,
I shall learn your commands to obey.
You loved me before I could tell
Who it was that so tenderly smiled,
But now that I know it so well,
I should be a most dutiful child.
2 I am so sorry that ever I should
Be naughty and give you a pain;
I hope I shall learn to be good,
And so never grieve you again.
But lest, after all, I should dare
To act an undutiful part,
Whenever I'm saying my prayer,
I'll ask for a teachable heart.