I went into an antique shop
just to browze around
when over in a corner,
a treasure I found.

It was almost hidden, the
light was dim and bad,
a quaint old rocking chair
like my mother had.

I stopped for a moment as from
my eye fell a tear, was I
imagining things or had I
found her old chair?

I remember so clearly as if it
were only yesterday
that it was just gathering dust
and I decided to give it away.

I had moved into a big new home
and my furniture was so fine
that I had no room for her old chair
in my home oh so divine.

But now I see where I was wrong
as I look on it today here in
this dimly lit corner
forgotten, a castaway.

Many a time when I was young I
sat in her lap so dear
and listened as she sang to me
while rocking in this old chair.

I called the clerk over to me 
as to him I did say,
"Forget the price, Mister, I
found what I wanted today."

I took that old rocker home
where it will ever stay
never again to gather dust
or get in my way

for each night upon my knee
I take my baby dear
and sing to her a lullaby
while rocking in mother’s old chair.


--Ida Lee Hansel--