Mary Ann Is Coming Home Poem by Robert Kirkland Kernighan

Mary Ann is coming home

Coming home to-night,
Daddy 's gone away to fetch her

Make her old home bright.
For a farmer all the summer

She 's been working hard,
And a purse of thirty dollars

Has been her reward.
She will bring it all to mother ;

She 's as good as wheat ;
Was there ever such another?

Make her bed-room neat !

Put a flow'r pot in her window ;

Make her pillows soft ;
She has hungered for home-coming

Many times and oft ;
Roast some apples in the ashes :

Put the kettle on ;
We will wait to make her welcome,

If we wait till dawn.

Mother, here 's your Sunday apron,
Ironed smooth and bright ;

Children, wash your faces someone 's
Coming home to-night.

We will hear poor daddy's wagon

When it 's on the ridge ;
And if not we 'll surely hear it

When it strikes the bridge.
Hester Jennie ! lay the table ;

Put ma's china down :
Move as quick as you are able :

Make the biscuits brown ;
Roast some chestnuts on the fender,

Make that lamp glass bright,
For our sister, sweet and tender,

Comes to us to-night.

Dad will drive you know he rarely

Ever misses meals.
Nero 's barking in the orchard ;

There ! I hear the wheels !
Leave the kitchen door wide open ;

Hear the wagon roll !
Listen ! that was Dolly's signal

Calling to her foal.
Hark ! a rustling in the lilacs,

Ah, I hope I 'm right
Mary Ann! is this our darling?

Welcome home to-night !