Song Writer: Erasmus Huntington (E.S.S.)
Year: 1907
Home: Wallaceburg On.
Best known for the song ‘I’m tying the leaves so they won’t come down’. The original melody was composed by Fred Helf and copyrighted in 1907. The song hit the charts becoming popular in Canada & the U.S.A. Byron G. Harlan recorded a version of this song in 1907.
Here are the lyrics to the song.
I’m Tying the Leaves So They Won’t Come Down
Playmates were they, girl and lad
She’s home today -lad feels sad
Doctor who calls…whispers low
“When the last autumn leaves fall, then she must go”.
Lad with a tear, climbs a tree
I’ll keep her here, murmurs he.
Big man blue sternly cries
“What are you doing there”?
Lad replies…
“I’m tying the leaves so they won’t come down,
So the wind won’t blow them away.
For the best little girl in the wide, wide world
Is lying ill today
Her young life must go when the last leaves fall
I’m fixing them fast so they’ll stay
I’m tying the leaves so they won’t come down
So Nellie won’t go away”.
Sad Mother grieves, day by day,
Watching the leaves, hears boy say,
“You mustn’t cry, for you see
I have tied all the leaves fast up in the tree”.
Doctor brings joy one glad day
Mother tells boy…Nellie will stay
Lad at girl’s side, cries with glee,
“That’s what I said one day in a tree”.
Anyone with info or pictures, please email:
chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
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Chatham Music Archive 