Whisper Your Mother’s Name

I was seated one day in a gilded cafe
In a windows that looked on the street;
A face caught my eye in a crowd passing by
And I hastily sprang to my feet
It was my sister's sad face I had left home to trace;
Thru her pride she had left us one day
And it brought back to me as plain as could be
My mother, as I heard her say:

If you should see your sister
Do not reproach or blame
Tell her how we've missed her
I love her just the same;
Say, my darling, the words that you brought her
Whether in pride or shame
Say that, she's still my daughter
Whisper your mother's name

There were tears on her face as she passed by the place
And I hastily sprang to her side
As we walked along, I said Nell, we were wrong
We are sorry we wounded your pride
Your sweetheart is true and still waiting for you
We are willing now you should wed if you'll only come back
You can marry your Jack and please your dear mother who said:

If you should see your sister, do not reproach or blame
Tell her how we've missed her
I love her just the same
Say, my darling, the words that you brought her
Whether in pride or shame
Say that, she's still my daughter
Whisper your mother's name