Two Little Boys

Rolf Harris

About Two Little Boys

"Two Little Boys" is a song written by American composer Theodore F. Morse and lyricist Edward Madden. It was written in 1902 and became a popular music hall song of the time, especially by Scottish singer Harry Lauder. It describes the story of two boys who grow up to fight in a war. In 1969, it became a surprise No. 1 top-selling single for entertainer Rolf Harris in the United Kingdom.


Year:
2001
3:18
133 
#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

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Rolf Harris

Rolf Harris, AO, CBE (born 30 March 1930) is an Australian entertainer. He is a musician, a singer-songwriter, a composer, a painter, and a television personality. He is also a covicted paedophile. more »

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Written by: ALAN BRADEN, EDWARD MADDEN, THEODORE MORSE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Release History
"Two Little Boys" by Rolf Harris was initially released in 1969. It quickly gained popularity and became one of the most beloved songs of its time.
Chart Performance
The song topped the UK Singles Chart in December 1969, where it stayed for six weeks. It was also the UK Christmas number one single that year.
Song Origin
"Two Little Boys" is actually a century-old American civil war song. It was written by Theodore Morse and Edward Madden in 1902.
Concept and Story
The song tells a tale of two boys who played war in their childhood, and then end up fighting in a real war as adults. It highlights the bond and sacrifice between two friends.
Popular Culture
The song was utilized in an advertisement for McDougall's flour. The ad recreated the scene from the song, using two small boys playing with a toy horse and cart.
Notable Cover
The popular animated show "The Simpsons" featured a cover of this song in its 14th episode of the 17th season, in 2006.
Song Significance
For many years, it was a traditional closing song in the Anzac Day dawn service in Australia and New Zealand, symbolizing the bond, friendship, and sacrifice of soldiers during the war.
Controversy
Despite the song's popularity, Rolf Harris’s conviction in 2014 for indecent assaults had led to controversy and in some cases, calls for the song's removal from public platforms.
Audiobook Version
In 2008, an audiobook version of the song was released, narrated by Rolf Harris himself, further expanding the reach and influence of the song.
Impact
Despite the controversy surrounding its singer, "Two Little Boys" is still considered one of the most influential songs in British music history, with an enduring impact on popular culture.
Genre
"Two Little Boys" by Rolf Harris is categorized primarily under the folk music genre but it also has elements of narrative ballad.
Release Date
The song was released in late 1969, specifically on 28 November of that year.
Chart Performance
"Two Little Boys" was a massive success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for six weeks.
Original Song
Rolf Harris' version is actually a cover. The song was originally written by American songwriter Theodore Morse and lyricist Edward Madden, and first published in 1902.
War Theme
The song tells a story of two brothers who grow up to fight in a war, drawing parallels between their childhood games and their later experiences on the battlefield.
Legal Issues
Despite the song's popularity, it has been involved in some controversy due to Rolf Harris's conviction in 2014 and imprisonment for sexual offenses. As a result, BBC stated that they would not play the song on their channels.
Australian Connection
Although Rolf Harris was born in Western Australia, the song itself doesn't reference Australia. However, its narrative of brotherly bonds and experiences in warfare resonated with many Australians, especially those with family who served in wars such as World War I and II, and Vietnam War.
Legacy
In 2009, the song was mentioned in the British House of Commons as a popular tune among British troops serving in Afghanistan.
Pop Culture
The song was used in TV series and films several times, such as in the British series "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" and Australian mini-series "Anzacs".
Instrumentation
"Two Little Boys" is characterized by the use of the "wobble board" - a large, flexible board that produces a characteristic oscillating sound when "wobbled" - which became something of a signature instrument for Rolf Harris.

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