ROSIE MAY

^ROSIE
MAY

^{Her
name was Rosie May}
^{And
she was just sixteen,}
^{The
day her mama died}
^{For
Rosie, last was seen.}

^{Rosie
May, she cried}
^{"
Why did she go away ?"}
^{Her
Papa held her tight}
^{Said,
"Mama couldn't stay. "}

^{Later
that same year}
^{Again
would Rosie grieve}
^{To
bring to table food,}
^{Her
Papa took his leave.}

^{And
as the years to pass}
^{From
Papa, money came}
^{Rosie
May had food -}
^{Heart-broken
just the same.}

^{She
never shed a tear}
^{The
bitterness it grew}
^{Loneliness,
Despair}
^{Were
all that Rosie knew.}

^{Rosie
May grew up}
^{Into
a lady fine}
^{But
promised to herself}
^{"
My heart will just be mine. "}

^{Slowly
time went by}
^{At
age now Twenty-eight}
^{Rosie
May still all alone}
^{Unhappy,
filled with hate.}

^{Then
on one misty night}
^{A
Church nearby to hold -}
^{Revival
time that week}
^{But
Rosie's heart was cold.}

^{Yet
up the hill she came}
^{And
thru' the open door}
^{She
sat upon the Pew}
^{For
Rosie needed more.}

^{Preacher
was a Preachin'}
^{The
message, it was good}
^{Revival
was beginning,}
^{In
tears now, Rosie stood.}

^{Then
she began to sing}
^{And
sing with all her might}
^{Until
her heart would melt}
^{Poor
Rosie gave up the fight.}

^{She
ran with tearful eyes}
^{To
the altar, so to pray}
^{Between
her sobs, she cried}
^{"
Jesus wash my sins away. "}

^{She
asked her Saviour then}
^{To
live inide her heart}
^{Tho'
mama and papa left}
^{Her
Lord would never part.}

^{While
still upon her knees}
^{She
felt a stranger's hand}
^{To
gently touch her brow-}
^{It
was a withered, aged man.}

^{Rosie
May looked up}
^{And
there her Papa stood !}
^{"
Rosie, I've come home}
^{Just
like I said I would. "}

^{"
Oh Papa, is it you ?}
^{I've
longed to see your face "}
^{"
Such hate within my heart}
^{But
Jesus took it's place. "}

^{"
Come Papa, let's go home}
^{We
have so much to tell "}
^{"
I cried the day you left}
^{But
now my heart is well. "}

^{Rosie
May would marry}
^{Within
that very year}
^{She
met a Preacher man}
^{And
he holds Rosie dear.}

^{Now
a baby girl has she}
^{Blessings,
they all came}
^{Tho'
she misses mama still}
^{Her
daughter got her name.}

^{Now
Rosie's life is good}
^{And
Papa's still around}
^{He's
teaching Sunday School}
^{For
Jesus too he found !}

^{Author/Poem
Written by:}
^{Tammy Boatman-Young}