American Old Time Song Lyrics: 23 The Milwaukee Fire

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 23

THE MILWAUKEE FIRE.
Copyright, 1884, by. S Brainard's Sons.
Words and Music by J. W. Kelly.

'Twas the pray of early naming when the dreadful cry of Are
Rang out upon the told and piercing air;
Just that little word alone is all that it would require
To spread dismay and panic everywhere.
Milwaukee was excited, as it never was before.
On learning that the fire belle all around
Were ringing to eternity a handled fouls or more,
And the New hull House was burning to the ground.

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Oh, hear the Are bells ringing at the morning's early dawn,
Beat the voices as they gave that dreadful cry;
Oh, hear the wail of terror 'mid the fierce and burning flame,
Heaven protect them, for they're waiting there to die.

The firemen worked like- flame-, and did all in their power
To save a life or try to soothe a pain;
It made the Wrongest heart sick, for In less than half an hour
All was hushed and farther efforts were in vain.
When the dread alarm was sounded through the oft condemned hotel.
They rushed in mad confusion every way;
The smoke was suffocating and blinding them as well;
The lire-king could not be held at bay.-Chorus.

At every window men and women would wildly beseech
For help in anguish and despair;
What must have been their feelings where the ladders could not reach?
And they fell deaths grasp around thin everywhere.
Up in the highest window stood a servant girl alone.
The crowd beneath all gazed with bathed breath;
They turned away their faces, then were many a stifled groan.
When she jumped to meet perhaps as hard a death. Chorus.

A boy stood at the window. And his mother stood below,
she saw him, and the danger drawing near;
With upraised hands to pray for him. she knelt down in the snow,
And the stoutest man could not restrain a tear.
She madly rushed towards the fire And wildly tore her hair,
Take me. oh, God. but spare my pride, my " joy.
She saw the flames surround him, and then in dark despair.
Said: God have mercy on my only boy.-Chorus.