[Verse 1: Archie Roach]
I remember as a boy
Our mama's love and our mama's joy
And I remember our mama's tears
She loved us all, and she made us glad
And when times were hard and times were bad
She'd always chase away our fears
And she'd say
[Chorus: Archie Roach & Emma Donovan]
"Hush now babies, don't you cry
Things look better by and by
Dry your eyes and don't look blue
Keep on smiling, don't feel sad
That there's not much for mum or dad
'Cause come what may
There's plenty here for you"
[Verse 2: Archie Roach]
When I was only six years old
On a winter's night that was so cold
And I could hear a raging storm
She took the blankets from their bed
And wrapped them round each one of us instead
And gave us all a kiss, and we were warm
And then she'd say
[Chorus: Archie Roach & Emma Donovan]
"Hush now babies, don't you cry
Things look better by and by
Dry your eyes and don't look blue
Keep on smiling, don't feel sad
That there's not much for mum or dad
'Cause come what may
There's plenty here for you"
[Verse 3: Archie Roach]
One time when Christmas came around
She cooked a bird that weighed about three pounds
And seven children had a share
She gave our dad a weary smile
Held him close and closed her eyes a while
And she seemed to say a silent prayer
And then she'd say
[Chorus: Archie Roach & Emma Donovan]
"Hush now babies, don't you cry
Things look better by and by
Dry your eyes and don't look blue
Keep on smiling, don't feel sad
That there's not much for mum or dad
'Cause come what may
There's plenty here for you"
[Post-Chorus: Archie Roach]
Now I'm a man, now I am grown
I've got these lovely children of my own
I remember mama's words to dad:
Our mama said
[Chorus: Archie Roach & Emma Donovan]
"Hush now babies, don't you cry
Things look better by and by
Dry your eyes and don't look blue
Keep on smiling, don't feel sad
That there's not much for mum or dad
'Cause come what may
There's plenty here for you
'Cause come what may
There's plenty here for you"