Lyrics:

but while life does remain in memoriam,
i'll retain, this small violet i pluck'd from
mother's grave.

only a violet i pluck'd when but a boy,
and oft'times when i'm sad at heart this
flower has giv'n me joy; so while life
does remain in memoriam i'll retain,

this small violet i puck'd from mother's grave.

[written and composed by william h. fox, 1881.
mary kelly was overheard singing that song on
the night of her death, november 9, 1888]