1 "I will be good, dear mother,"
I heard a sweet child say;
"I will be good--now watch me--
I will be good all day."
She lifted up her bright young eyes,
With a soft and pleasing smile.
Then a mother's kiss was on her lip,
So pure and free from guile.

Chorus:
"I will be good, I will be good,
I will be good today,
I will be good, I will be good,
I will be good to-day."

2 And when night came, that little one,
In kneeling down to pray,
Said, in a soft and whisp'ring tone,"
Have I been good to-day?"
O many, many bitter tears,
'Twould save us did we say,
Lie that dear child, with earnest heart,
"I will be good to-day." [Chorus]

3 Jesus can help us to be good--
To Him we'll humbly pray;
His grace alone can make us good,
And keep us good all day.
He'll help us hate all evil thoughts,
All sinful words and ways;
And in His service take delight,
Through all our earthly days. [Chorus]