Title: American Old Time Song Lyrics
Subject: Traditional & Folk Music
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Old time music, American, oldtimey, bluegrass

When He Was A Choir-boy - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
WHEN HE WAS A CHOIR-BOY. Copyright, 1897, by Frank Tousey. Words by Raymond A. Browne. Music by Chas. Coleman. 
The service in a near-by church had only just begun, And through the stained glass windows brightly streamed the morning sun; The choir's blending voices floated out upon the street, Just as a stranger entered, bowed his head, and took a seat. He watched the white-robed choir and he listened while they sang; As loud above the others there a boy's sweet tenor rang; And as the lad's sweet tones rang out, his eyes were dim with tears; The first that glistened there in many, many weary years. 
Refrain. He was a choir-boy, long ago in a village far away, In the little church so humble, where his pray'rs he'd learned to say; And many a recollection that time could never destroy, Came back as he thought of those by-gone days, when he was a choir-boy 
He often in the days gone by the same old hymns had sung, A Chorister, his voice with boyish fervor oft had rung: He looked around and fancied he could see in ev'ry pew, The well-remembered faces of the ones that once he knew. His father, mother, sister, brothers, all alike were there, He seemed to see them plainly, heard their voices raised in prayer; And as the choir's last "Amen" proclaimed the service o'er, He wandered out and soon was lost to sight beyond the door.-Refrain.