American Old Time Song Lyrics: 46 I Ran A Race

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 46

I RAN A RACE.
Copyright, 1896, by Spaulding & Gray.
Words And Music by George M. Cohan

Why weep this way, Ned? to a boy a man said,
For he saw the tears on the lad's face;
Said the boy to the man, "Sir, a match I just ran
With Tommy, and I lout the race."
The old man replied, "Enough you have cried-
We must all lose a race in our life;
Let me tell you. my lad, of a race I once had
For a heart, for a hand, for a wife.

Chorus.
"I ran a race, lad, just the same as you;
Came in second place, lad, broken-hearted, too;
Ran against my brother, he is now your Pa;
As you have done, I lost-he won-the race was for your Ma.

"As I did, my lad, and as I told your dad,
Go tell Tommy you're glad that be won;
For defeat is no sin, and we all cannot win;
If so, why a race none would run;
When older you grow, then better you'll know
The meaning of sorrow and strife­That's if e'er you should face love's defeat in a race
For a heart, for a hand, for a wife." - Chorus.