So, who knew that this story came from Hans Andersen? I figure Anderson's story inspired both this song and one with the same title by Donovan.

From The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

"Songs from Hans Andersen."
THE LITTLE TIN SOLDIER.
Words by F. E. Weatherly. Music by J. L. Molloy.
Boston : Oliver Ditson & Co., Washington St. [no date*]

1. He was a little Tin Soldier,
One little leg had he;
She was a little fairy dancer,
Bright as bright could be:
She had a castle and garden,
He but an old box dim;
She was a dainty rose love,
Far too grand for him.
He was a little Tin Soldier,
One little leg had he,
Bravely shoulder'd his musket,
Fain her love would be.

2. Once as he watched his rose love
Winds from the North did blow,
Swept him out of the casement
Down to a stream below:
True to his little lady,
Still he shoulder'd his gun,
Soon, ah soon, came the darkness
Life and love undone.
He was a little Tin Soldier,
One little leg had he,
Ne'er in the world a lover
Half to true could be.

3. Once more he sees his rose love.
Still she is dancing gay,
He is worn and faded
Loyal still for aye:
Then came a hand that swept them
Into a furnace wide,
Parted in life, in dying
They are side by side.
Ah, for the little Tin Soldier,
Ah, for her cruel part,
There lies her rose in ashes,
There his loyal little heart.

[*but the poem is quoted in a novel from 1883.]