Be Kind To Loved Ones

1 Be kind to thy father; for when thou wast young,
Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents which fell from thy tongue,
And join'd in thy innocent glee.
Be kind to thy father, for now he is old,
His looks intermingled with gray;
His footsteps are feeble,--once fearless and bold,
Thy father is passing away;
Thy father is passing away.

2 Be kind to thy mother; for, lo! on her brow
May traces of sorrow be seen;
Oh, well mayst thou cherish and comfort her now,
For loving and kind she hath been.
Remember thy mother; for thee will she pray
As long as God giveth her breath;
With accents of kindness, then, cheer her lone way,
E'en to the dark valley of death.

3 Be kind to thy brother: his heart will have dearth
If the smile of thy joy be withdrawn;
The flowers of feeling will fade at the birth
If love and affection be gone.
Be kind to thy brother, wherever you are;
The love of a brother shall be
An ornament purer and richer by far
Than pearls from the depth of the sea.

4 Be kind to thy sister; not many may know
The depth of true sisterly love;
The wealth of the ocean lies fathoms below
The surface that sparkles above.
Thy kindness shall bring in thee many sweet hours,
And blessings thy pathway shall crown,
Affection shall weave thee a garland of flowers
More precious than wealth or renown.

Source: The New Sabbath School Hosanna: enlarged and improved: a choice collection of popular hymns and tunes, original and selected: for the Sunday school and the family circle... #82

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #460