American Old Time Song Lyrics: 14 The Telephone

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 14

THE TELEPHONE.
Tune- "Poor Old Dad."

The other day I thought I'd take a ramble thro' the town,
When I saw some advertisements had been posted up and down;
It told of an experiment they were going to try,
Of a new and patent telephone, in a schoolroom close by.
It told that many messages would come from far and wide.
And as I reached the school-room door I gently stepped inside;
Then if you will pay attention, I'll tell in simple tone,
The messages that came to me along the telephone.

The first thing that it told to me. it thrilled my poor heart's blood,
An old man had been sent to jail for stealing bits of wood;
His poor old wife was sick, so he thought it was no harm
To take the sticks a fire to make, to cheer and keep her warm.
Their value it was three cents, yet that old man, wan and pale,
For such a paltry crime as this was sent six months to jail;
And the cruel judge that sent him must have had a heart of stone,
This cruel message came to me along the telephone.

The other day three children played beside the river side,
When two of them, a boy and girl, of ages three and five.
They fell into the water, when their brother, brave and bold,
He plunged into the river, though he was but eight years old.
This gallant youth saved his sister, and then, alas! did try
To rescue his brother, but he himself did die;
For exhausted with his efforts he sank just like a stone,
May he rest in peace in heaven, said the wondrous telephone.

You've often heard of ragged lads who are starving in the street,
By cruel police they are run in when found upon their beat;
But of late a noble policeman he has done a noble deed,
He saw a poor boy starving, which did came his heart to bleed.
He did not run him into jail, but gave the poor lad bread,
Then took him home and placed him in a cosy little bed;
And now that little orphan is adopted as his own,
Let's send a hearty cheer to him along the telephone.