Two Little Orphans

Cat. #0557 (MFH #638) - As sung by Mrs. Norma Kisner, Springdale, Arkansas on November 25, 1960

VERSE 1
Two little orphants, a girl an' a boy
Stood by an old church door
Th little girls feet were as brown as th curls
That hung on th dress that she wore

VERSE 2
Th little boy, coatless an' hatless, was he
A tear stood in each little eye
Why don't you run home to your Momma, said I
An' this was th maidens reply

VERSE 3
Momma's in heaven, angels taken her away
Left Jim and I alone
We've no one to love us since Papa is gone
An' now, darling Momma's in heaven

VERSE 4
Papa was lost out at sea, long ago
We waited all night on th shore
He was a life saving captain, you know
And he never come back anymore

VERSE 5
Then, Momma got sick, angels taken her away
She said, to 'er home warm an' bright
She said, they would come for her darling, some day
Perhaps their coming tonight

VERSE 6
We'r to little to earn our bread
Jim is five while I'm only seven
We've no one to love us, since Papa is dead
An' now, darling Momma's in heaven

VERSE 7
Perhaps there's no room up in heaven, she said
For my two little darlings to dwell
She then placed her hand under Jims little head
An' kissed 'im an' both fell asleep

VERSE 8
Mamma's in heaven, angels taken her away
Left Jim and I alone
We've no one to love us, since Papa is dead
An' now, darling Mamma's in heaven

VERSE 9
The sexton came early to ring th church bell
An' found them there, beneath th white snow
Angels made room up in heaven, that night
For two little orphants with Mamma to dwell

VERSE 10
Mamma's in heaven, angels taken her away
Left Jim and I alone
We've no one to love us, since Papa is dead
An' now, darling Mamma's in heaven

(Mrs. Kisner tells a story about a Mother who killed her little boy and had him for supper. His two sisters buried his bones and next day they heard a little bird singing about what had happened. A wonderful story.)

Variants