[Verse:] How can I ever pay the debt I owe you Mother o' mine, Mother o' mine What is there I could ever do to show you How much I love you Mother o' mine [Refrain:] I kiss the hand, the wrinkled hand That rocked my cradle in babyland A mem'ry lingers of byegone years When gentle fingers would dry my tears Her face will ever be my guiding light She'll whisper tenderly "Turn to the right" No harm can come to me by day or night For the hand that rocked my cradle rules my heart [2nd verse:] Close to my side you stand what e'er betide me Mother o' mine, Mother o' mine How can I come to harm with you beside me Ever to guide me Mother o' mine