A Picture From Life's Other Side

In the world's mighty gall'ry of pictures Hang scenes that are painted from life There's pictures of joy and of sorrow There's pictures of peace and of strife There's pictures of youth and beauty Old age and the blushing young bride All hang on the wall, but the saddest of all Is a picture from life's other side. Just a picture from life's other side Someone who fell by the way A life has gone out with the tide That may have been happy one day Some poor old mother at home Is watching and waiting alone Just longing to hear from her loved ones so dear It's a picture from life's other side. The first scene is that of a gambler Who lost all his money at play Draws his dead mother's ring from his finger That she wore on her wedding day His last earthly treasure, he stakes it Bows his head that his shame he might hide When they lifted his head, they found he was dead It's a picture from life's other side.. The next scene is that of two brothers Whose paths in life different ways led The one was a-livin' in luxury While t'other one begged for his bread One dark night they met on a high3way "Your money or life" the thief cried Then he took with his knife his dear brother's life It's a picture from life's other side. The next scene is down by the river A heart-broken mother and child The old harbor lights stand and shiver On an outcast that no one will save Perhaps she was once a good woman Somebody's darlin' and pride God help her, she leaps, there is no one to weep It's a picture from life's other side.