  by Eugene F. Ware. In a very humble cot, In a rather quiet spot, In the suds and in the soap, Worked a woman full of hope; Working, singing, all alone, In a sort of undertone, “With a Saviour for a friend, He will keep me to the end.” Sometimes happening along, I had heard the semi-song, And I often used to smile, More in sympathy than guile; But I never said a word, In regard to what I heard, As she sang about her Friend Who would keep her to the end. Not in sorrow, nor in glee, Working all day long was she, As her children three or four, Played around her on the floor; But in monotones the song She was humming all day long: “With the Saviour for a friend, He will keep me to the end.” Just as poor as poor could be, But the spirits always rose, Like the bubbles in the clothes, And though widowed and alone, Cheered her with the monotone, Of a Saviour and a Friend Who would keep her to the end. I have seen her rub and scrub, On the washboard in the tub, While the baby, sopped in suds, Rolled and tumbled in the duds; Or was paddling in the pools, With old scissors stuck in spools; She still humming of her Friend Who would keep her to the end. Human hopes and human creeds Have their root in human needs; And I would not wish to strip From that washer-woman’s lip Any song that she can sing, Any hopes that songs can bring; For the woman has a Friend Who will keep her to the end. 1. Kitchen scene, with woman washing in center of stage, side face to audience; clothes baskets, soiled linen, boiler, clothes bars, etc., scattered in the room. The washer-woman sings last two lines, while curtain is raised. 2. Same scene. Woman and tub in background facing audience while she rubs and sings; children on floor in foreground. Sings again. 3. Baby is the most conspicuous part of this picture, and the livelier the better, even to laughing or crying. Woman hums the tune as she works. |
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