The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LITTLE BOY BLUE

THE LITTLE TOY DOG IS COVERED WITH DUST
BUT STURDY AND STRAIGHT HE STANDS
THE LITTLE TOY SOLDIER IS COVERED WITH RUST
AND HIS MUSKET MOLDS IN HIS HANDS

TIME WAS WHEN THE LITTLE TOY DOG WAS NEW
AND THE SOLDIER WAS PASSING FAIR
AND THAT WAS THE TIME WHEN LITTLE BOY BLUE
KISSED THEM AND PUT THEM THERE.

"NOW DON'T YOU GO TILL I COME,!" HE SAID
"AND DONT YOU MAKE ANY NOISE!"
AND TODDLED OFF TO HIS TRUNDLE BED
AND DREAMT OF HIS PRETTY TOYS.

OH THE YEARS ARE MANY AND THE YEARS ARE LONG
BUT THE LITTLE TOY FRIENDS ARE TRUE...

Submitter comment:

FRAGMENT OF A POEM THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO RECITE TO HIM
FREQUENTLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT