Note that, compared to the original sheet music, this version has the same number of lines, but the two 6-line verses have been rearranged as three 4-line verses.


WILL THE ANGELS LET ME PLAY?
As recorded by Elton Britt, 1948.

1. In a yard where children were playin' games one day,
A little lad on crutches was watching wistfully.
It seemed so hard he could not play as other children do.
They said that he would spoil the game, and was a baby, too.

CHORUS: "When I go to heaven, Mama, will the angels let me play?
Because I am a cripple, will they say I'm in the way?
Here the children never want me. I'm a bother, they all say.
When I go to heaven, Mama, will the angels let me play?"

2. His tender heart is breaking, for they won't let him play,
As he goes to his mama, she hears him softly say:
"I'm so tired, dear Mama," then bows his little head,
"Please rock me just a little, and then tuck me to bed.

3. I wish that daddy would come home before I go to sleep
Tell him how I waited for his kiss upon my cheek."
That night when all was silent, the angels came that way,
And took him up to heaven where he won't have to say: CHORUS