Are the children all home yet, Papa?
Mama would always say
As she came from her prayer closet
Where, for each child, she would pray

The children are home now, Mama
All of them safe and sound
And Mama would praise the Saviour
That the devil had gained no ground

All the children grew up and away
Each with families of their own
Too busy to ever come visit
They would call to talk on the phone

Are the children all home yet, Papa?
Mama would always ask
As he held the receiver and smiled
She tried hard, disappointment to mask

Empty years took their toll on Mama
For she missed all her children so
And as Papa stood by her bedside
She spoke in a whisper so low

Are the children all home yet, Papa?
Tell me that everyone's here
As he nodded, her eyes closed forever
While in one empty room fell a tear

Copyright^© 2002 Linda Oliver