Dwelt a little lad named Tommy, sickly, delicate and lame
He had never yet been healthy, but lain since he was born
Dragging out his weak existence, hopeless and forlorn.
He was six years old, little Tommy, 'twas just five years ago
Since his drunken mother dropped him and the babe was crippled so
Never has he known the comfort of a mother's tender care
But her cruel blows and curses made his pain still worse to bear.
There he lay within the cellar, from morning till night
Cursed, neglected, starved, ill treated, no one to make his dull life bright
Not a single friend to love him, not a single thing to love
For he knew not of the Saviour or Heaven up above.
Twas a quiet summer evening and the alley too was still
Tommy's little heart was sinking and he felt so lonely 'till
Up the quiet ally coming inward from the street
Came the sound of someone singing, sounding oh so clear and sweet.
Eagerly did Tommy listen as the singing came
Oh how he wished he could see the singer
Oh how he wished he was not lame
Then he called and shouted loudly till the singer heard the sound.
'Twas a maiden rough and ragged, hair unkept and naked feet
All her garments torn and ragged her appearance far from neat
So you called me said the maiden, wonder what you want of me
Most people call me singing Jessie what may your name chance to be.
My names Tommy I'm a cripple and I want to hear you sing
For it makes me feel so happy sing me something, anything
And then Jessie answered smiling I can't stay here for long
But I'll sing a hymn to please you what I call the glory song.
So she sang to him of heaven, pearly street of gold
Where the happy angel children are not starved or nipped with cold
But where happiness and gladness can never decrease or end
But where Jesus rests eternally where time will never end.
Oh how Tommy's eyes did glisten as he took in every word
As it fell from singing Jessie, was it true what he had heard
And so then anxiously he asked her, is there really such a place
And a tear started to trickle down his pale little face.
Tommy it's up above the sky
And if you love your Saviour you will go there when you die
Then said Tommy, tell me Jessie how can I the Saviour love
When I'm down in this hear cellar and He is up in Heaven above.
The little ragged maiden who had heard at Sunday school
All about the way to Heaven and the Christian Golden Rule
Taught the little cripple Tommy how to love and how to pray
Then she sang a song of Jesus, kissed his cheek and went away.
Tommy lay within the cellar, which had grown, so dark and cold
Thinking all about the children in the streets of shining gold
And he minded not the darkness of the damp and chilly room
For the joy in Tommy's bosom could get rid of the darkest gloom.
Oh if I could only see it thought the cripple as he lay
Jessie said that Jesus listens, so I think I'll try and pray
So he put his hands together and closed his little eyes
And in wonder deep in earnest sent this message to the skies.
Gentle Jesus please forgive me, as I didn't know before
That you cared for little cripples who are week and very poor
And I never heard of Heaven till that Jessie came today
And told me all about it, so I thought I'd try and pray.
You can see me can't you Jesus, Jessie told me that you could
And somehow I must believe it, for it sounds so true and good
And she told me if I love you I would see you when I die
In the bright and happy Heaven which is up beyond the sky.
Lord I'm only just a cripple and I'm no use here below
For I hear my mother whisper, she would be glad if I was to go
And I'm cold and hungry sometimes, and feel so lonely too
Can't you take me gently Jesus, up to Heaven along with you?
Oh I'd be so good and patient, and never cry or fret
And your kindness to me Jesus, I would surely not forget
I'd love you all I know of and to never make a noise
Can't you find me just a corner where I can watch the other boys?
Oh I think you'll do it Jesus, something seems to tell me so
For I feel so good and happy and I do want to go
How I long to see you Jesus and the children all so bright
Come fetch me Jesus, come fetch me home tonight.
Tommy ceased his prayer he had told his hearts desire
And he waited for an answer till his ear began to tire
Then he turned toward his corner and lay huddled in a heap
Closed his little eyes so gently and was quickly fast asleep.
Oh I wish that every scoffer could have seen his little face
As he lay in there in the corner of that dark and dirty place
For his countenance was shining like an angel's fair and bright
And it seemed to fill the cellar with a holy heavenly light.
He had only heard of Jesus, from a ragged singing girl
He might well have wondered, doubted, until his head began to whirl
But he took it as she told it and believed it then and there
Simply trusting in the Saviour and His kind and loving care.
In the morning when the mother came to wake her crippled boy
She discovered that his features wore a look of sweetest joy
And she shook him somewhat roughly, but the cripple's face was cold
He had gone to join the children in the streets of shining gold.
Tommy's prayer had soon been answered, the angel death had come
To remove him from the cellar to his bright and heavenly home
Where sweet comfort, joy and gladness, never can decrease or end
But where Jesus reigns eternally where time can never end.
Revelation 21:4
