THE DEAR OLD SABBATH DAY Lester A. Rowland I was born in the country back in Kentucky’s hills, Amidst the hoots and screeching of owls and whip-poor-wills. Each day I had to labor; I had so much to do. The same old grind of working; my pleasures were quite few. I had to do the milking, I had the grass to mow, I had to cut the kindling, I had the corn to hoe. Even when it rained a lot, I had to work all day. Many inside jobs there were, I had no time to play. I might have left my father, I might have run away, But always I looked forward to the lovely Sabbath day. On that day, it was so peaceful, so different from the rest, Of all the days in seven it surely was the best. They let me sleep some later, but not too late you see. For we were going traveling, the whole big family. Oh how we all did hurry to shine our shoes and faces We all put on our best for we were going places. Our mules were sleek and fat, our Surrey could not be beat, How proud I felt when Dad climbed up and took the seat. We kids climbed in behind, and Ma up front with Dad, Oh that good old way of travel, it really was not bad. Sometimes the road would open with very few bumps in view, And Dad would crack his whip; my! how fast they flew. You can talk about your autos and the way that they can run, But give me back my Dad’s old Surrey, those were the days of fun. When we reached the church house, oh what a crowd was there! We could hardly find a place to park, horses, women, children everywhere. Church had not yet started but this I did no mind, For it gave me opportunity all my “Buddies” to find. The men were all gathered about the church house door Discussing crops and weather and what the women wore. For all had come there early to hear each others views, Of times and stock and gossip and all the latest news. We boys, were in a corner, a-peeping at the girls, Who were all dressed so neatly in starched dresses and curls. We’d like to march up to them and try to make a date, But by the time we got the nerve, it then would be too late. The women were in a huddle, talking canning, cooking, clothes, The misses were a-giggling with dressed up, manly beaus. But soon ‘twas time for preaching, the church bell, it was rung. We all marched in very quietly and then the hymns were sung. Oh, how we boys enjoyed it there in that great big crowd, As all joined in the chorus so lustily and loud. The preacher then got up to preach and preached an hour or more. Sometimes I’d see folks nodding, sometimes I’d hear a snore. You see, the preacher preached a lot, I thought more than he should, But Mom and Dad made us keep still; they saw that we were good. Sometimes I’d get so sleepy there, could hardly hold my head, But other times I’d listen and remember all he said. So many things the preacher said, I could not understand, But I was glad that I was there, I felt my soul expand. I felt uplifted in my heart I felt a surge of joy. I vowed that I would try to be a kind and better boy. When the sermon at last was over, the Benediction said, We filed out of the church again with slow and solemn tread. But once outside all talked and talked of many things galore. We always took home company; sometimes there were a score. Now I like company of my kind, my pals, a pretty maid, But a lot of grown ups alone their talk they so delayed. And eating, oh so slowly that Sabbath day so late, For I was there a starving, I always had to wait. When all our guest had left us and all the dishes done, We gathered in the parlor, we kids to have some fun. We looked thru many albums of friends of long ago. We peeped thru the stereoscope of pictures old you know. But somehow those old pictures they make me feel quite sad. They bring back sweet old memories when I was but a lad. When darkness begins to gather my mother brings a light. We gather ‘round the organ and sing with all our might. Those hymns my mother taught me when I was just a tot, Yes, those old hymns of childhood I treasure quite a lot. So the Sabbath Day is ended now, I climb into my bed. Tomorrow I must work again to earn my meat and bread. But there are only six more days, there will be no delay, Another day is coming soon, another Sabbath Day.