TopicalTom, here are the lyrics of "M-O-T-H-E-R" (which long predates Eddy Arnold) - both verses:

"M-O-T-H-E-R -(A Name That Means The World To Me)
         
          M is for the million things she gave me.
          O means only that she's growing old.
          T is for the tears she shed to save me.
          H is for her heart as pure as gold.
          E is for her eyes with love light shining.
          R means rightm and right she'll always be.
          Put them all together, they spell "Mother,"
          A name that means the world to me.

M is for the mercy she possesses.
O means that I owe her all I own.
T is for her tender, sweet caresses.
H is for her hands that made a home.
E's for everything she did to save me.
R means real and regular was she.
Put them all together ...   .