Classic Poem

A sad and mournful history
Of which I now will speak,
Concerning that awful storm
That flooded Cabin Creek.

Five long hours the rain did fall,
The thunder loudly rolled,
The sadness of that awful day,
The grief, I can't unfold.

The shrieks and cries of those
Poor souls, while trying life to save.
Many went down with the flood
And filled a watery grave.

The miners hurried to their homes
And found them swept away;
Many hearts were weeping then
And many knelt to pray.

The hurrying waters fastly roll,
Hear the miners cry;
See the houses and the barns
Swiftly rushing by.

The raging stream from hill to hill
Swept everything in sight,
Then unto the mountain tops,
The miners took their flight.

Grief-stricken people everywhere
And hungry people too;
Friends, you cannot realize
What the living have gone through.

Poor hungry souls on mountain tops,
And children cry for bread,
Uncle Sam sent out his force;
The hungry soon were fed.

Food and clothing soon arrived
From all the country round,
To all the hungry in that land
Relief soon did abound.

Huntington has given them aid,
Charleston did the same;
How merciful our Father is,
We praise his Holy Name.

One poor man was carried down,
'Twas sad to see his fate.
He was clinging tightly to some logs,
With a babe in his embrace.

The babe was torn from his arms,
The waters raging wild;
The man was rescued from the deep,
But Heaven claimed the child.

The soldier boys are brave and true,
Their kindness we should praise,
Heavy burdens they must bear,
They've labored for many days.

They carry provisions on their backs
To those who are in need.
Often hungry they go themselves
That the orphans they may feed.

That awful day of grief and pain,
So sad we can't forget,
Children torn from mothers' arms
And the parents left bereft.

'Tis sad for us to part with those
Whom to us the Lord hath given;
But oh, so grand the glorious thought,
There'll be no tears in Heaven.