In the world's mighty of pictures There're that are painted from life, Scenes of and of beauty, Scenes of and strife, of wealth and of plenty, Old age and the blushing bride, on the wall - but the saddest of all Is a pictures from life's side.
A picture life's other side has fell by the way And a life has gone out the tide That might have been someday Some mother at home Is watching and alone Longing to hear - from her one so dear a picture from life's other side.
Now the scene is one of two brothers Their paths them diff'rently led One in luxury and riches And the one begged for his bread One night they met on the "Your money or life, sir", one And then with his knife - took his own brother's That's a picture life's other side.
The next is that of a gambler Who had lost all his money at An' he draws his dead mother's ring his finger That she wore long ago on her day It's his last earthly treasure, but he it Then he bows his that his shame he may hide But, when they his head - they found he was dead That's a picture from other side.
Now the last is down by the river Of a mother and babe In the harbor light glare see shiver Outcasts that no one save Once she was once a woman darlin' and pride God help her, she leaps - for there's no one to a picture from life's other side.