American Old Time Song Lyrics: 36 They Deny Me When Theyre Men

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 36

They Deny Me When They're Men.
Copyright, 1888, by J. R. Bell.
Words and Music by Barney Mullelly.

It was the time of frost and snow, when the stormy winds did blow,
I took the train one morning to the town;
I was going to see my boys through sorrow And through joys,
For two of them had risen to renown.
But Tom, our youngest child, had grown quite rough and wild;
Yet a picture of the happy past I drew
When my dear old wife and I answered every baby cry,
And fondled them as all kind parents do.

Chorus.
In my fancy I can see our darlings dear to me.
And hear those baby voices as they've been, .
And after many years my old eyes All with tears,
To think that they deny me when they're men.

I was going to John and Joe, for they were my oldest two;
The home I sold to start them both in life;
And I thought that they'd be glad to see their poor old dad.
Or say a loving word for you, dear wife.
But sorry, I must say, when I reached their place that day,
As I walked in they me met with a frown,
And they neither cared to speak-said, "What made you call this week;
Next week we would be glad if you'd call down." - Chorus.

With heavy heart and weary feet I trudged along the street;
At some lodging I could stay, as cash I had;
When our Tom I did espy and I tried to pass him by,
I thought he too would like to shun his dad.
But when I was most by, his voice rang loud and high,
"Why, bless me, there's my father, dear to me;
And a picture I have sold for twice its weight in gold,
Fetch mother in, I'll share it all with thee."

Chorus.
And thus spoke our wayward Tom, whom we never helped along,
And who we left in this wide world to roam;
Then after many years he bids me dry my tears,
And says, "For you and mother I've a home."