The Carter Family
The Poor Orphan Child
[Verse 1]
I hear a low faint voice that says
My papa and mama's dead
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed

[Chorus]
Savior, lead them by the hand
(Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand
(Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand
(Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
(Till they all reach that glittering strand)

[Verse 2]
We see so many children now
Poor little boys and girls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
But now we see those wandering curls
Hang careless 'round their brow
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
O Savior, every orphan bless
Wherever they may roam
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home

[Chorus]