Two Little Boys Lyrics And Chords by The Irish Rovers
Two Little Boys Lyric, Chords a(Theodor F. Morse and Edward Madden) 4/4 . Made famous by Rolf Harris. The lyrics and chords fit the Irish Rovers song lyrics on their album ‚Children Of The Unicorn (1976). Use a capo on the 2nd fret to change the key to A major.
Versions of this song by other artist sometimes use slightly different words. One alternative line in verse 2 is given in brackets. You may prefer this line as it makes clear that the referred war is the American Civil War and that the two boys fought on different sides.
Versions of this song by other artist sometimes use slightly different words. One alternative line in verse 2 is given in brackets. You may prefer this line as it makes clear that the referred war is the American Civil War and that the two boys fought on different sides.
Intro: G-G-(G-D)-G
(G)Two little boys had (C)two little (G)toys.
Each had a (Bm)wooden (C)horse. -C
And (Am)gaily they played, (Em)one summer’s day,
(A7)Warriors both, of (D)course. -D
(G)One little chap he (C)had a mis(G)hap
He broke off his (Bm)horses (C)head. -C
And he (Am)wept for his toy, but (Em)then he laughed for joy,
When(A7)ever his brother (D)said. -D
Do you (G)think I would leave you crying,
When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two. -C
So (Am)climb up here Joe and stop your (Em)crying,
While (A7)I can mend your horse with (D)glue. -D
When (G)we grow up we'll both be soldiers,
And our horses will (Bm)not be (C)toys. -C
And (Am)then maybe Joe we'll re(A7)member,
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys. –G-G-G-G
(G)Ten years have passed and the (C)war came so (G)fast.
And bravely they (Bm)marched a(C)way. –C
(Alt: One wore the (Bm)blue, the other (C)gray -C)
And a (Am)cannon roared loud, (Em)in the wild crowd,
Where (A7)wounded, and dying Joe (D)lay. –D
Well (G)then comes a cry and a (C)horse dashes (G)by,
Out from the (Bm)ranks of the (C)blue. -C
It (Am)galloped away, to (Em)where Joe lay,
And (A7)then came a voice he (D)knew; -D
Do you (G)think I would leave you dying,
When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two. -C
So (Am)climb up here Joe we'll soon be (Em)flying,
Sure (A7)I can go as fast with (D)two. -D
* Can you (G)see Joe, I'm all a tremblin'.
And it may be (Bm)bullets and the (C)noise. -C
But I (Am)think it's because I re(A7)member.
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys.
Yes I (C)think it's because I re(A7)member.
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys. - G-G-(G-D)-G
* this line is spoken in the Irish Rovers’ version
The Irish Rovers Lyrics And Chords
(G)Two little boys had (C)two little (G)toys.
Each had a (Bm)wooden (C)horse. -C
And (Am)gaily they played, (Em)one summer’s day,
(A7)Warriors both, of (D)course. -D
(G)One little chap he (C)had a mis(G)hap
He broke off his (Bm)horses (C)head. -C
And he (Am)wept for his toy, but (Em)then he laughed for joy,
When(A7)ever his brother (D)said. -D
Do you (G)think I would leave you crying,
When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two. -C
So (Am)climb up here Joe and stop your (Em)crying,
While (A7)I can mend your horse with (D)glue. -D
When (G)we grow up we'll both be soldiers,
And our horses will (Bm)not be (C)toys. -C
And (Am)then maybe Joe we'll re(A7)member,
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys. –G-G-G-G
(G)Ten years have passed and the (C)war came so (G)fast.
And bravely they (Bm)marched a(C)way. –C
(Alt: One wore the (Bm)blue, the other (C)gray -C)
And a (Am)cannon roared loud, (Em)in the wild crowd,
Where (A7)wounded, and dying Joe (D)lay. –D
Well (G)then comes a cry and a (C)horse dashes (G)by,
Out from the (Bm)ranks of the (C)blue. -C
It (Am)galloped away, to (Em)where Joe lay,
And (A7)then came a voice he (D)knew; -D
Do you (G)think I would leave you dying,
When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two. -C
So (Am)climb up here Joe we'll soon be (Em)flying,
Sure (A7)I can go as fast with (D)two. -D
* Can you (G)see Joe, I'm all a tremblin'.
And it may be (Bm)bullets and the (C)noise. -C
But I (Am)think it's because I re(A7)member.
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys.
Yes I (C)think it's because I re(A7)member.
When (G)we were (D)two little (G)boys. - G-G-(G-D)-G
* this line is spoken in the Irish Rovers’ version
The Irish Rovers Lyrics And Chords
🎸 **Key:** G Major
🕕 **Tempo:** ~84 bpm (slow ballad)
🎶 **Time Signature:** 3/4 (waltz feel)
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
> Count: 1 2& 3&
> - Bass note on beat 1
> - Light brush on beats 2 and 3
> - Keep rhythm flowing and tender
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Thumb: bass note (root of chord)
> - Fingers: roll gently upward through G–B–E strings
> - Maintain smooth waltz rhythm
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**(G)Two little boys had (C)two little (G)toys.**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**Each had a (Bm)wooden (C)horse.**
```
Bm C G
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**And (Am)gaily they played, (Em)one summer’s day,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**(A7)Warriors both, of (D)course.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 2
**(G)One little chap he (C)had a mis(G)hap**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**He broke off his (Bm)horse’s (C)head.**
```
Bm C Am
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**And he (Am)wept for his toy, but (Em)then he laughed for joy,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**When(A7)ever his brother (D)said.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**Do you (G)think I would leave you crying,**
```
G Bm C
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two.**
```
Bm C Am
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**So (Am)climb up here Joe and stop your (Em)crying,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**While (A7)I can mend your horse with (D)glue.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- Keep the **3/4 rhythm** steady — thumb on **beat 1**, fingers roll on **2 & 3**.
- Use **light arpeggios** for verses and **gentle strums** during the chorus for lift.
- End with a **soft arpeggio on G** — let it ring naturally.
🕕 **Tempo:** ~84 bpm (slow ballad)
🎶 **Time Signature:** 3/4 (waltz feel)
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
> Count: 1 2& 3&
> - Bass note on beat 1
> - Light brush on beats 2 and 3
> - Keep rhythm flowing and tender
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Thumb: bass note (root of chord)
> - Fingers: roll gently upward through G–B–E strings
> - Maintain smooth waltz rhythm
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**(G)Two little boys had (C)two little (G)toys.**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**Each had a (Bm)wooden (C)horse.**
```
Bm C G
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**And (Am)gaily they played, (Em)one summer’s day,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**(A7)Warriors both, of (D)course.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 2
**(G)One little chap he (C)had a mis(G)hap**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**He broke off his (Bm)horse’s (C)head.**
```
Bm C Am
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**And he (Am)wept for his toy, but (Em)then he laughed for joy,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**When(A7)ever his brother (D)said.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**Do you (G)think I would leave you crying,**
```
G Bm C
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**When there's room on me (Bm)horse for (C)two.**
```
Bm C Am
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---4-----4-----4-----4-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-4-----------4-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-2-----------2-------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**So (Am)climb up here Joe and stop your (Em)crying,**
```
Am Em A7
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
**While (A7)I can mend your horse with (D)glue.**
```
A7 D G
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- Keep the **3/4 rhythm** steady — thumb on **beat 1**, fingers roll on **2 & 3**.
- Use **light arpeggios** for verses and **gentle strums** during the chorus for lift.
- End with a **soft arpeggio on G** — let it ring naturally.
Guitar chords for the key of D Major
(D)Two little boys had (G)two little (D)toys.
Each had a (F#m)wooden (G)horse.
And (Em)gaily they played, (Bm)one summe day,
(E7)Warriors both, of (A)course.
(D)One little chap he (G)had a mis(D)hap
He broke off his (F#m)horses (G)head.
And he (Em)wept for his toy, but (Bm)then he laughed for joy,
When(E7)ever his brother (A)said.
Do you (D)think I would leave you crying,
When there's room on me (F#m)horse for (G)two.
So (Em)climb up here Joe and stop your (Bm)crying,
While (E7)I can mend your horse with (A)glue.
When (D)we grow up we'll both be soldiers,
And our horses will (F#m)not be (G)toys.
And (Em)then maybe Joe we'll re(E7)member,
When (D)we were (A)two little (D)boys.
(D)Two little boys had (G)two little (D)toys.
Each had a (F#m)wooden (G)horse.
And (Em)gaily they played, (Bm)one summe day,
(E7)Warriors both, of (A)course.
(D)One little chap he (G)had a mis(D)hap
He broke off his (F#m)horses (G)head.
And he (Em)wept for his toy, but (Bm)then he laughed for joy,
When(E7)ever his brother (A)said.
Do you (D)think I would leave you crying,
When there's room on me (F#m)horse for (G)two.
So (Em)climb up here Joe and stop your (Bm)crying,
While (E7)I can mend your horse with (A)glue.
When (D)we grow up we'll both be soldiers,
And our horses will (F#m)not be (G)toys.
And (Em)then maybe Joe we'll re(E7)member,
When (D)we were (A)two little (D)boys.
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 . Two Little Boys Tin Whistle Sheet Music Included.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 . Two Little Boys Tin Whistle Sheet Music Included.
Below is another version of the sheet music for Two Little Boys in the key of C.
🎵 Two Little Boys
Type: Sentimental ballad / popular song with folk-style narrative
Written by: Theodore F. Morse (music) & Edward Madden (lyrics)
Year of composition: 1902
Famous recording: Rolf Harris (1969)
Themes: Childhood friendship, loyalty, innocence, and remembrance through war and time
🪶 Origins
“Two Little Boys” is not originally an Irish folk song, though it has often been absorbed into folk repertoires in Ireland and Britain due to its strong storytelling and emotional pull.
It was written in America in 1902 by the songwriting team Theodore F. Morse (composer) and Edward Madden (lyricist) — both well-known in early Tin Pan Alley circles.
The song was originally performed as a music hall piece, intended to tug at the audience’s heartstrings. It tells a story of two young boys playing with toy horses, and how their childhood friendship endures even into adulthood, where one rescues the other on the battlefield.
💚 Rolf Harris’s Version (1969)
Australian entertainer Rolf Harris revived the song in 1969, giving it a simple, heartfelt arrangement that resonated deeply with audiences.
His version became a massive hit, reaching:
#1 on the UK Singles Chart (Christmas 1969)
Staying at #1 for six weeks,
And remaining on the charts for more than six months.
Harris’s gentle Australian accent, emotional delivery, and spoken interludes between verses helped make the song universally relatable — a touching story about childhood, war, and enduring love between friends.
Type: Sentimental ballad / popular song with folk-style narrative
Written by: Theodore F. Morse (music) & Edward Madden (lyrics)
Year of composition: 1902
Famous recording: Rolf Harris (1969)
Themes: Childhood friendship, loyalty, innocence, and remembrance through war and time
🪶 Origins
“Two Little Boys” is not originally an Irish folk song, though it has often been absorbed into folk repertoires in Ireland and Britain due to its strong storytelling and emotional pull.
It was written in America in 1902 by the songwriting team Theodore F. Morse (composer) and Edward Madden (lyricist) — both well-known in early Tin Pan Alley circles.
The song was originally performed as a music hall piece, intended to tug at the audience’s heartstrings. It tells a story of two young boys playing with toy horses, and how their childhood friendship endures even into adulthood, where one rescues the other on the battlefield.
💚 Rolf Harris’s Version (1969)
Australian entertainer Rolf Harris revived the song in 1969, giving it a simple, heartfelt arrangement that resonated deeply with audiences.
His version became a massive hit, reaching:
#1 on the UK Singles Chart (Christmas 1969)
Staying at #1 for six weeks,
And remaining on the charts for more than six months.
Harris’s gentle Australian accent, emotional delivery, and spoken interludes between verses helped make the song universally relatable — a touching story about childhood, war, and enduring love between friends.
