Mighty Lak a Rose

by FRANK LEBBY STANTON (1857-1927)

Sweetest l’il feller,
Everybody knows;
Dunno what to call him,
But he mighty lak’ a rose!

Lookin’ at his Mammy
Wid eyes so shiny blue,
Mek’ you think that heav’n
Is comin’ clost-ter you!

W’en he’s a dar a-sleepin’,
In his li’l place,
Think I see de angels
Lookin’ thro’ de lace.

When de dark is fallin’,
When de shadders creep,
Den dey comes on tiptoe
Ter kiss ‘im in his sleep.

Sweetest l’il feller,
Everybody knows;
Dunno what to call him,
But he mighty lak’ a rose!

Lookin’ at his Mammy
Wid eyes so shiny blue,
Mek’ you think that heav’n
Is comin’ clost-ter you!

Frank Lebby Stanton was an editorial writer for the Atlanta Constitution from 1889 until his death in 1927. During the last two years of his life, he served as Poet Laureate for the State of Georgia. The music for Mighty Lak a Rose was composed by Ethelbert Nevin. This tremendously popular song has been covered by Frank Sinatra, Patti Page, Paul Robeson, Nina Simone and many others. More Frank L. Stanton: Keep A’Goin’!

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