American Old Time Song Lyrics: 41 The Old Letter Box On The Tree

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 41

The Old Letter-Box on the Tree.
Copyright, 1893, by Geo. T. Worth & Co.
Words and Music by Julian Holmes.

'Twas an old letter-box, and it hung on a tree
In remembrance of one who was far o'er the sea;
For he said, ere he left the sweet lass at his side,
"I'll soon return home, love, and make you my bride.
Tho' I'm going to leave you and wander afar,
All my thoughts will be with you, my own guiding star.
When the letter-man comes with a message from me,
Oh, remember the old letter-box on the tree."

Chorus.
'Twas an old letter-box, many mem'ries it waken'd,
Of one who was far away over the sea;
He would not forget her, he promis'd a letter
She'd find in the old letter-box on the tree.

The lone sweetheart at home pray 'd by night and by day
For a message from him who had long gone away.
"Is he faithless," she cried, "will be ne'er come to me?"
And she took the old letter-box down from the tree,
When an old faded letter that hid there for years,
Met the eyes of the lassie and filled them with tears;
For an answer her lover had waited in vain,
But his true little sweetheart ne'er met him again.

Chorus.
'Twas an old letter-box, and within it was hidden
A tender love message from one o'er the sea;
He could not forget her, he sent her the letter
She found in the old letter-box on the tree.