If Papa Were Only Ready

I should like to die

said Will­ie

If my Pa­pa could die

too;

But he says he isn’t rea­dy

’Cause he has so much to do;

And my lit­tle sis­ter Nell­ie

Says that I must sure­ly die

And that she and Ma­ma—

Then she stopped

Because it made me cry.

And that she and Ma­ma—

Then she stopped

Because it made me cry.

But she told me

I re­mem­ber

Once while sit­ting on her knee

That the an­gels nev­er wea­ry

Watching ov­er her and me;

And that if we’re good (and Ma­ma

Told me just the same be­fore)

They will let us in­to Heav­en when

They see us at the door;

They will let us in­to Heav­en when

They see us at the door.

There I know I shall be hap­py

And will al­ways want to stay;

I shall love to hear the sing­ing

I shall love the end­less day;

I shall love to look at Je­sus

I shall love Him more and more

And I’ll ga­ther wa­ter lil­ies for

The an­gel at the door;

And I’ll ga­ther wa­ter lil­ies for

The an­gel at the door.

There will be none but the ho­ly—

I shall know no more of sin;

Though I’ll see Ma­ma and Nell­ie

For I know He’ll let them in

But I’ll have to tell the an­gel

When I meet him at the door

That he must ex­cuse my Pa­pa

’Cause he couldn’t leave the store;

That he must ex­cuse my Pa­pa

’Cause he couldn’t leave the store.

Nellie says that may­be I shall

Very soon be called away;

If Papa were on­ly rea­dy

I should like to go to­day;

But if I should go be­fore him

To that world of light and joy

Then I guess he’d want

To come to Heav’n

To see his lit­tle boy;

Then I guess he’d want

To come to Heav’n

To see his lit­tle boy.