The Black Sheep

In a little village, not many miles away-ay
There lived a rich and aged man whose hair was turning grey
He had three sons, the only ones, but Jack and Tom were sly
Ted was honest as could be and would not tell a lie
They did their best to ruin Ted right in the old man′s eyes
Soon their lies began to work and Ted was much despised
One night the old man said begone, you're heartless to the core
These were the words that the young
Lad said as he stood beside the door

Don′t be angry with me dad, don't turn me from your door
I know that I've been wayward, but I won′t be anymore
Give me just another chance and put me to the test
You′ll find the black sheep loves his dad far better than the rest

Year after year passed slowly on and the rich man's now grown old
He called together Jack and Tom and gave them both his gold
Saying I′ll only need a little room right at your fireside
Then one night Jack, returning home, he brought with him a bride

His wife began to hate their father more-ore and more each day
One night he heard the three declare that he was in their way
They then agreed to send him to a work-house that was near
And like a flash the black sheep's words came ringing in his ears

Don′t be angry with me dad, don't turn me from your door
I know that I′ve been wayward, but I won't be anymore
Give me just another chance and put me to the test
You'll find the black sheep loves his dad far better than the rest
A carriage pulled up to the door, it was the work-house van
The lads then turned up to their dad and said here is your man
Just then a man before ′em appeared, and pushing through the crowd
Stand back you brutes, the stranger cried, this will not be allowed

You took this old man′s property and all that he had saved
You even sold his little plot containing mother's grave
I am his son but not your kin from this to judgement day
The old man clasped the black
Sheep′s hand and the crowd all heard him say

Don't be angry with me lad, though I turned you from my door
I know that I was foolish, but I won′t be anymore
I should have given you my gold for you have stood the test
I found the black sheep loves his dad far better than the rest