American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 Playmates In School Days Were We

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40

Playmates in School Days Were We.
Copyright, 1893, by Francis, Day & Hunter.
 Words and Music by W. E. Richardson.

I'm thinking now of school days, those happy days gone by,
When in the merry playground we made the moments fly;
When I, with Harry Maley, the brightest of our boys,
Swore to be chums forever and share each other's joys.
Thus time flew gently past us, insep'rable were we,
For I was all to Harry and he was all to me,
Till bright-eyed Mary Mason gave smile and "How d'ye do?"
With cupid's dart struck Harry, and the same dart struck me, too.

Chorus.
Playmates in school days were we, pals when years older we grew,
Clinging together like brothers thro' life, trusty and staunch and so true;
Swearing to brave side by side life's battle in calm or gale,
Till the day pretty Mary smiled sweetly on both, and then came the old sad tale.

I'm thinking now of manhood, oh, what a change has come!
For I'm engaged to Mary, and soon we're to be one;
The happy day is nearing, ah, happy day for me,
The dreams of smiling children, a-climbing on my knee.
The scene is changed to sadness, when, on my wedding eve,
A tiny sealed-up packet from Mary I receive,
Enclosing a short letter. Great God! can this be true?
"I've gone away with Harry, for I love him more than you"- Chorus.

I'm thinking now of winter, in an attic cold and bare,
My dear old chum now lying with death's wan, vacant stare;
He'd welcome death that moment, would sooner die than live,
But cannot die till he's asked his old pal to forgive.
The door I open gently, once more we're face to face,
One moment's pause, then hands meet in a last fond embrace;
My dying pal now whispers, "She's false to me and you;
Forgive me, Tom, forgive me, And may God forgive her, too." - Chorus