Dearest Heart Of Chestnut Lane Poem by Francis Duggan

She was such a lovely lady so dependable and true
I have never known her equal kinder soul I never knew
Since she died I feel so lonely life for me doesn't seem the same
Without Kate my foster mother dearest heart of Chestnut Lane.

There's my natural mother Peggy living with her lover man
And her husband in a jail house my kleptomaniac father Dan
And they disowned me their offspring I was on the streets alone
But the Tailor's widow Katie took me in and gave me a home

Only for her I'd have perished I was just a ten year old
I was unwanted and hungry and the weather was so cold
Sleeping rough like wild born creature in grimy back street dens
And eating with the rodents out of filthy rubbish bins.

But the good God he was with me and sent Kate to rescue me
From the cold and degradation and the teeth of misery
And she plucked me from the slum heap gave home to a homeless child
And tamed with love an outcast who'd been living rough and wild.

Sad to think death took her from me 'tis so very, very sad
To think that she's no longer with me the dearest friend I've ever had
When I needed human kindness she helped me in every way
And without her I'd have perished I'd not be living today.

I must follow in her footsteps as a man I must succeed
As she led by good example by example she did lead
And I must be kind to others I must not discriminate
But be helpful and God fearing like my foster mother Kate.