ADD: Lost Little Children (O'Brien, Williams)

Subject: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 09:48 AM

I am looking for the title of a song. The song is about a child that is being sent overseas to meet up with his/her parents after having been separated for some time. The child wonders if the parents will recognize them. I have some of the lyrics...can anyone help?

It's been so long since they've seen me
I wonder if they'll know me now

We gave them our four pound and twenty
One last look at the great rocky shores
They said that the new world had plenty
And we never see ??? anymore

Will they know their lost little children
When they look for my face in the crowd
It's been so long since they've seen me
I wonder if they'll know me now

Now hold to my hand little brother
Be brave and please try not to cry
We have a good father and mother
And soon we'll be safe by their side

Will they know their lost little children
When they look for my face in the crowd
It's been so long since they've seen me
I wonder if they'll know me now

Will they know their lost little children
Will they look for my face in the crowd
It's been so long since they've seen me
I wonder if they'll know me now

I wonder if they'll know me now.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: Peace
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 01:44 PM

Here ya go.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: Peace
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 01:45 PM

Crud. Sorry. I will now go look for the tune.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 02:11 PM

Tim O'Brien's song lyrics also here.
Lost Little Children

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 02:35 PM

Robin & Linda Williams often appear on "A Prairie Home Companion." I looked there (in the show archive) using the show's search function and did not find that they had done the song there, but they did record it on their 2004 CD, DEEPER WATERS. Amazon has a short clip HERE.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 07:37 PM

WOO HOOOO!   Many thanks!!!!!!!!   

:) :) :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Title Unknown - Lost Little Children
From: bfdk
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 05:22 AM

Michelle,

The song's on Jed Marum's CD "The Soul of a Wanderer" as well ;-)

Bente

Subject: Lyr Req: the lost children
From: quokka
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 09:14 AM

Hi all, I am looking for lyrics to a song called 'The Lost Children', an emigration song about children whose parents went to America years before them(from Ireland) and were supposed to meet them at Ellis Island. They had their names pinned to their clothes but it's not clear if the parents ever met them. Any clues?
Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the lost children
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 09:29 AM

Great Tim O'Brien song. I love the version that Jed Marum recorded on his "Soul of a Wanderer" CD.

Here are the lyrics:

Where are my mama and daddy
They came a long time before me
Now we've come on the steamship Atlantic
From our home far across the stormy sea

I have their letter in my pocket
They said we would meet on the pier
But the day it is now almost over
With the darkness and cold drawing near

CHORUS:
Will they know their lost little children
As they look for my face in the crowd
It's been so long since they've seen me
And I wonder if they'll know me now

We gave them our four pounds and twenty
One last look at the green rocky shore
They told us the new world has plenty
But we'd never see Sligo anymore

CHORUS

Hold to my hand little brother
Be brave and try not to cry
We have a good father and mother
And soon we'll be safe by their side

CHORUS

Repeat chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the lost children
From: quokka
Date: 13 Jun 08 - 11:58 AM

Thanks, Big Mick, for posting the lyrics, this is a great song. I'll have to look out for Jed Marum's version. I've only heard one sung by a woman, not sure who it is.
Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the lost children
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Jun 08 - 12:08 PM

From what I can find the only woman to record this song is one of the composers - Linda Williams. It's on the Robin and Linda Williams CD called "Deeper Waters". It's a powerful song - we almost always get comments about it when we sing it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the lost children
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 01:28 AM

The correct title is LOST LITTLE CHILDREN.

It was written by Tim O'Brien, Robin Williams, and Linda Williams. Tim O'Brien recorded it on "Crossing" (1999); Jed Marum on "Soul of a Wanderer" (2002), and Robin & Linda Williams on "Deeper Waters" (2004).