Two Little Boys

Album: Best Of Rolf Harris (1969)
Charted: 1
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  • Two little boys had two little toys
    Each had a wooden horse
    Gaily they played each summer's day
    Warriors both of course
    One little chap then had a mishap
    Broke off his horse's head
    Wept for his toy then cried with joy
    As his young playmate said

    Did you think I would leave you crying
    When there's room on my horse for two
    Climb up here Jack and don't be crying
    I can go just as fast with two
    When we grow up we'll both be soldiers
    And our horses will not be toys
    And I wonder if we'll remember
    When we were two little boys

    Long years had passed, war came so fast
    Bravely they marched away
    Cannon roared loud, and in the mad crowd
    Wounded and dying lay
    Up goes a shout, a horse dashes out
    Out from the ranks so blue
    Gallops away to where Joe lay
    Then came a voice he knew

    Did you think I would leave you dying
    When there's room on my horse for two
    Climb up here Joe, we'll soon be flying
    I can go just as fast with two
    Did you say Joe I'm all a-tremble
    Perhaps it's the battle's noise
    But I think it's that I remember
    When we were two little boys

    Do you think I would leave you dying
    There's room on my horse for two
    Climb up here Joe, we'll soon by flying
    Back to the ranks so blue
    Can you feel Joe I'm all a tremble
    Perhaps it's the battle's noise
    But I think it's that I remember
    When we were two little boys Writer/s: ALAN BRADEN, EDWARD MADDEN, THEODORE MORSE
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Cathy from AzWhen we were in Jr High my best friend from Elementary School returned after a couple years in Ireland. We were both in choir and she taught me 2 songs she learned while overseas. Two Little Boys and The Titanic Song. All these years later I’d never heard this recorded until today. Now a Grandma of 7, I sing this to my babies while rocking them to sleep. I lost track of my friend when we both moved while in our twenties, but I think of her every time I rock my babies. Incredible song I’ve been singing for 60 years
  • Ratus Walters from Sarasota, Fl 34240It was my publishing company that recorded the most popular U.S. version of Two Little Boys. We obtained the original lyrics which were used by singer Beryl Middleton. It was written about two American boys who met up again during the U.S. Civil war. Ref: "Out from the ranks of BLUE, gallops away to the lad in Gray". Harry Lauder changed the words from "Lad in GRAY" to "where Jack lay" as Brits would not get the reference to the BLUE and GRAY. Most recordings, other than those in the U.S. went along with Harry Lauder's version for the same reason. Keep in mind the song was written by two Americans 38 years after the U.S. Civil war.
  • Brian from Toronto, OnI have two boys aged 23 & 19. When they were very young this was one of my and their favorite songs that I would sing to them.
    Now they are grown up and making their own way in this world. The oldest is in the Canadian Army and is going overseas for his first 9 month tour. When I hear this song it makes me think of them when things were much simplier.
    I pray every day that you come home to us safe Kenneth
  • Tony C from London, United Kingdomfantastic song, last song and xmass no1 of 1969 and first no1 song of the 1970s there is a link of sorts with this song mr harris,s aunty hated it as her two brother rolfs dad and uncle were in world war one and hes uncle did,nt come back. i also belive that he was on route for the olimpics but chose to come to engalng instead to persue a painting career.
  • Paul from Newport, KyThis is one of the most heart-wrenching songs I have ever heard. It's hard to believe that Rolf Harris, who is well known for the light-hearted Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport could do a song like this as beautifully as he did.
    Paul - Newport, KY
  • Mads from Adelaide, AustraliaTim, sydney

    "As an adolescent and young adult Harris was a champion swimmer being the Australian Junior 110 yards Backstroke Champion in 1946 and Western Australian state champion over a variety of distances and strokes during the period 1948?1952."

    Taken from Wikipedia
  • Tim from Sydney, AustraliaKeith Major from Bristol, England writes: "Rolf Harris was also an Australian swimming champion before moving to Britain" - I have grown up in Australia since the 1960's, and I have never heard of Rolf Harris' fame as a swimmer. I have just spent several hours searching numerous Rolf Harris biographies on the internet, and have been unable to find any mention of Rolf's skills in the pool. Regardless of his most recent "brush" (ha ha) with royalty, we all know Rolf's greatest claim to fame was his special "appearance" in a certain episode of "The Goodies" many years ago.
  • Carmen from Palmerston North, New ZealandOh my gosh, I remember bawling as a little girl when I listened to this song, now I have two 3 and 4 year old boys of my own who love their rocking horses. You can't help but think of life's circles... Still love the song
  • Keith Major from Bristol, EnglandRolf Harris was also an Australian swimming champion before moving to Britain
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