Mother No Longer Awaits Me At Home
The Stanley Brothers · Too Late Too Cry [2001]
One night while the moon from heaven was shining
My mother was praying for me to come home
She asked her dear lord watch o'er me out yonder
To send me back home to never more roam
When I left my old home way back in the mountains
I said I'd return with honor and fame
But a young reckless heart turned wrong at the crossroads
And now as I go home I bring mother shame
When I got to the place where I spent my childhood
The silvery moon was shining so bright
When I asked my dear friends to tell me of mother
They said she was called on to heaven last night
She told them of how she was longing to see me
How lonely her home since I went away
Said darling repent and ask for forgiveness
And meet mother there in heaven some day
Mother has gone to live with the angels
Her soul is at rest around the great throne
Now I have no one left here to advise me
For mother no longer awaits me at home
My mother was praying for me to come home
She asked her dear lord watch o'er me out yonder
To send me back home to never more roam
When I left my old home way back in the mountains
I said I'd return with honor and fame
But a young reckless heart turned wrong at the crossroads
And now as I go home I bring mother shame
When I got to the place where I spent my childhood
The silvery moon was shining so bright
When I asked my dear friends to tell me of mother
They said she was called on to heaven last night
She told them of how she was longing to see me
How lonely her home since I went away
Said darling repent and ask for forgiveness
And meet mother there in heaven some day
Mother has gone to live with the angels
Her soul is at rest around the great throne
Now I have no one left here to advise me
For mother no longer awaits me at home
Mother No Longer Awaits Me At Home
Recorded by The Stanley Brothers on their 2001 compilation Too Late Too Cry, this track stands as a poignant example of their mastery in traditional Appalachian folk and gospel. The song reflects the deep emotional resonance characteristic of the brothers' work, often exploring themes of family, loss, and spiritual longing. As a staple of their discography, the recording captures the raw, unpolished authenticity that defined their live performances and studio sessions throughout their career. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of their storytelling, blending acoustic instrumentation with vocal harmonies that have made them a cornerstone of American roots music.