verse 1

It is the day of all the year, of all the year the one day
When I shall see my mother dear and bring her cheer a-mothering Sunday
It is the day of all the year, of all the year the one day
And here come I my mother dear to bring you cheer a-mothering on Sunday

verse 2

So I'll put on my Sunday coat,
And in my hat a feather,
And get the lines I writ by rote,
With many a note,
That I've a-strung together.

verse 3

And now to fetch my wheaten cake,
To fetch it from the baker,
He promised me, for Mother's cake,
The best he'd bake
For me to fetch and take her.

verse 4

Well have I known, as I went by
One hollow lane, that none day
I'd fail to find - for all they're shy -
Where violets lie,
As I went home on Sunday.

verse 5

My sister Jane is waiting-maid
Along with Squire's lady;
And year by year her part she's
And home she stayed {played
To get the dinner ready.

verse 6

For Mother’s come to Church you'll see-
Of all the year it's the day-
'The one,' she'll say, 'that's made
And so it be: {for me
It's every Mother's free day.

verse 7

The boys will all come home from town,
Not one will miss that one day;
And every maid will bustle down
To show her gown,
A-Mothering on Sunday.

verse 8

It is the day of all the year,
Of all the year the one day;
And here come I, my Mother dear,
To bring you cheer,
A-Mothering on Sunday.

Mid-Lent German 14th Century
"He who goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane." - George Hare Leonard