Digital Tradition Mirror

She's More to Be Pitied Than Censured

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

She's More to Be Pitied Than Censured
(William B. Gray)

At the old concert hall on the Bowery,
'Round a table were seated one night,
A crowd of young fellows carousing
With them life seemed cheerful and bright.
     At the very next table was seated
     A girl who had fallen to shame,
     All the young fellows jeered at her weakness,
     Till they heard an old woman explain:


cho: She is more to be pitied than censured,
     She is more to be helped than despised.
     She is only a lassie who ventured
     On life's stormy path, ill-advised;
     Do not scorn her with words fierce and bitter
     Do not laugh at her shame and downfall.
     For a moment, just stop and consider
     That a man was the cause of it all.


There's an old-fashioned church 'round the corner
Where the neighbors all gathered one day,
While the parson was preaching a sermon
O'ere a soul that had just passed away;
'Twas this same wayward girl from the Bow'ry
Who a life of adventure had led.
Did the clergyman jeer at her downfall?
No! He asked for God's mercy, and said:

RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!