Title

Two Little Children by Doc Williams

Creator

Description

This song is written and performed by Doc Williams, with an accompanying band. This recording was taken for a live radio broadcast, most likely WWVA radio in Wheeling, West Virginia. Two Little Children this a traditional-style song that describes two orphans freezing to death on the steps of a church as people ignore them.

Transcription

Two little children, a girl and a boy
Stood by an old church door
The little girl's feet were as brown as the curls
That hung upon the dress that she wore
The little boy's coat was all tattered and torn
And tears hung in his blue eyes
Why don't you go home to your mother I said
And this was the maiden's reply
Mama's in heaven, angels took her away
She is gone to that land fair and bright
She said she would come for her darlings some day
Perhaps she will come tonight
We can't earn our bread, we're too little, she said
Jim's five and I'm only seven
We can't earn our living since Papa is dead
And our darling Mama's in heaven
Papa got drowned on the sea long ago
We waited all night by the shore
For he was a lifesaving captain you know
And he never came back anymore
Perhaps, there's no room up in heaven, she said
For two little darlings to keep
She then placed her hand under Jims little head
She kissed him, and both fell asleep
The sexton came early to ring the church bell
And found them beneath the snow white
The angels made room for two orphans to dwell
In heaven with Mama that night

Physical Description

10" acetate record

Subjects

Music; Songs; Singers

Contributor

Doc Williams

Geographical Area

Wheeling, Ohio County (W. Va.)

Language

English

Identifier

MS.001005, "Two Little Children" by Doc Williams

Resource Type

Sound

Collection

Doc Williams collection, MS.001005

Publisher

Arkansas State Archives

Contributing Entity

Arkansas State Archives

Recommended Citation

Two Little Children by Doc Williams, Doc Williams collection, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights

Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

Disciplines

United States History

Comments

This is an extremely rare live radio recording of a song that Doc Williams released in other versions. The acetate recording medium is very unstable and will continue to deteriorate. - John Freshour