Ora pro nobis

Out of the dark and dreary street,

Out of the cold and driving sleet

Into the church the folk had gone,

Leaving the orphan child alone.

Tatter'd and so forlorn was she,

They crossed themselves, as they pass'd, to see

So frail a child in that grievous plight

On such a relentless and stormy night!

"Ora pro nobis."

Banned by hoot of churlish owl

Into the lone churchyard she stole;

Over the grave where her mother lay,

Clasping her hands she knelt to pray:

"Mother! if thou in heav'n canst hear

Thine orphan breathing her mournful pray'r,

Oh, take thy child to thyself again!"

The worshippers answer'd in sweet refrain:

"Ora pro nobis!"

Into the cold and driving sleet,

Into the dark and dreary street

Out of the church the people came,

Starting, a-ghast! as the sombre flame

Fell on the frail and slender form

Which knelt, unmoved by the moaning storm;

For, while the prayed, the angels had come

And taken the soul of the orphan home.

"Ora pro nobis!"