Out of the dark and dreary street,
Out of the cold and driving sleet
Into the church the folk had gone,
Leaving the orphan child alone.
Tatter'd and so forlorn was she,
They crossed themselves, as they pass'd, to see
So frail a child in that grievous plight
On such a relentless and stormy night!
"Ora pro nobis."

Banned by hoot of churlish owl
Into the lone churchyard she stole;
Over the grave where her mother lay,
Clasping her hands she knelt to pray:
"Mother! if thou in heav'n canst hear
Thine orphan breathing her mournful pray'r,
Oh, take thy child to thyself again!"
The worshippers answer'd in sweet refrain:
"Ora pro nobis!"

Into the cold and driving sleet,
Into the dark and dreary street
Out of the church the people came,
Starting, a-ghast! as the sombre flame
Fell on the frail and slender form
Which knelt, unmoved by the moaning storm;
For, while the prayed, the angels had come
And taken the soul of the orphan home.
"Ora pro nobis!"