American Old Time Song Lyrics: 22 Neath The Old Maple Tree
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 22
'NEATH THE OLD MAPLE TREE
Copyright, 1887, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Words and Music by Julian Jordan.
Near an old-fashioned school-house neglected, decayed,
Forgotten amid life's great throng;
A tree spreads its branches, beneath which we played,
In childhood when days were so long.
Companions for years together they've stood,
Together they've braved frost and snow;
Oh. my eyes till with tears, in my heart there's a sigh,
As I think of days long ago.
Refrain.
For my mem'ry recalls the glad moments of yore,
When with heart full of laughter and glee;
With playmate and sweetheart together we played,
And swung 'neath the old maple tree
The old tree yet stands on the bank of the door,
But where are the dear ones who strayed
Beneath its kind shelter when school hours were o'er,
And games of sweet childhood we played?
Oh, could they but gather again as of yore,
So merry, so happy and free;
Oh, could they but gather again as of yore,
To swing 'neath the old maple tree.-Refrain.