I Cannot Call Her Mother The marriage rite is over Although I turn aside To keep the guests from seeing The tears I could not hide I wreathe my face is smiling And I left my little brother To greet my father's chosen But he could not call her mother She is a fair young creature With meek and gentle airs With blue eyes soft and loving And silk and sunny hair I know my father gives her A love he had for another If she were an angel I could not call her mother My father's in the sunshine Of happy days to come They have forgot the shadows That darkened our old home His heart is no more lonely But me and little brother Must still be orphan children God gives us but one mother