Two little lads they had been friends

voiceCollected by Edwin R. Bethune For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer Pocahontas, Arkansas August 1, 1958 Reel 262, Item 3 Two Little Lads Two little lads they had been friends Ever since childhood days, Until one day they met a fair maid, An angel with charming ways. Both fell in love, tried to win The little maiden fair, Till sad was the day, the words they did say, They sent Tom away in despair. Years passed, and Jack won her hand, Just as the story goes, Until one day in the middle of May, In the altar those two were made one. Rush honeymoon, they returned soon; Jack met poor Tom one day. Brace up, my lad; don't look so sad. Then Tom to Jack did say: Jack, how I envy you, I envy you, Jack, yes I do; I know you won her fair and square; I hope she'll be true to you. I wish you much joy, old boy, And here is my hand on it too. Jack, I'm not sad, for she loved you, my lad, Though I envy you,Jack, yes I do. They lived happy, both Jack and his wife, Until one fatal day; Sickness came on, and poor Jack wasn't strong, And they called his dear life away. His wife at the grave, oh how she did rave, For she knew not what to do. Till Tom came along,with a voice clear and strong, Says, Sweetheart, I'll marry you. Two Little Lads (Cont'd) Reel 262, Item 3 (Cont'd) Years passed on, after the wed, Children they now have four. Baby cries at night, Pappa and Mamma they fight And Pappa sleeps on the floor. Poor Tom will look back and think of poor Jack, While passing his grave each day. He'll stop with a sigh, for tears fill his eyes And those are the words he would say: Jack, how I envy you, I envy you, Jack, yes I do. I know your troubles are over and past; I'd gladly change places with you. How happy you must be; I once was happy too. You're far away; I'll be with you some day, Though I envy you, Jack, yes I do.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation