Two Little Boys

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Played once by Jerry Garcia with Old And In The Way in 1973, and also with the Black Mountain Boys in pre-Dead days in 1964. Thanks to Matt Schofield for the lyrics for that version.

Two little boys had two little toys
Each had a wooden horse
Gaily they played on a summer's day
Warriors both of course (note 1)

One little chap had a mishap
Broke off his horse's head
Wept for his toy but cried for joy
When he heard his brother say

Do you think I could leave you crying
When there's room on my horse for two
Climb up behind and stop your crying
We'll mend up your horse with glue

When we grow up we'll both be soldiers
And our horses will not be toys
And maybe you will remember
When we were two little boys

Long years had passed, war came at last
Bravely they marched away
Cannons roared loud amid that bright crowd
Where wounded and dying Joe lay

Then came a cry, a rider dashed by
Out from the ranks of blue
Galloped away to where Joe lay
And he heard his brother say

Do you think I could leave you dying
When there's room on my horse fo you
Climb up here Joe, we'll soon be flying (note 2)
To the ranks of the boys in blue

Can't you see Jack that I'm all a-tremble
It may be the flash and the noise
Or it may be because I remember
When we were two little boys
Notes
(1) the Black Mountain Boys seem to sing "Four year's old ..."
(2) the Black Mountain Boys forget the words to these two lines in the tape their 1964 performance.


Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography

 


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