The Victorians seemed to enjoy this type a song and a trawl of the Bodliean library unearthed a fair number. Here are snippets of what I think may be the three most likely contenders ...............


OUT IN THE SNOW
Composed and written by C. E. Howells

'Tis Christmas night the snow falls fast
And clothes the earth in white
The moon being hid no light can cast
Upon this winter's night
The wind it sighs and moans aloud
As if it knew the woe
Of one who walks with sad head bowed
Alas, out in the snow

Chorus
Out in the snow, out in the snow
No one to help her, no where to go
She battles with hunger, she battles with woe
Alone she is wandering out in the snow




POOR LITTLE JOE (1)

While strolling one night through London's gay throng
I met a poor boy he was singing a song
I could see by his face that he wanted for bread
Although he was singing, he wished himself dead
I spoke to that poor boy out in the snow
He'd no place of shelter and no place to go
No mother to guide him, in the grave she lies low
Cast on the wide world was poor little Joe

Chorus
In the street he will wander, forgot by the gay
With a tear in his eye he will kneel down and pray
He'd no friend but his maker his parents were dead
Poor Joe he was dying by inches for bread



POOR LITTLE JOE (2)

Cold, cold was the night the snow had been falling
The wind it was whistling so shrill through the street
When on a doorstep a poor lad was lying
No cap on his head, no shoes on his feet
The poor little fellow so sadly was crying
Pitifully sobbing, really as tho'
His little heart nearly was breaking
Who wouldn't pity him, poor little Joe

Chorus
A poor little fellow sadly was crying
The tears from his eyes sank deep in the snow
Alas, there was no one to sooth him when dying
No one to pity him, poor little Joe