Two Little Boys
Encyclopedia
"Two Little Boys" is a song written by American composer Theodore Morse and lyricist
Edward Madden
. It was written in 1902 and became a popular music hall song of the time, made popular by Harry Lauder
. It describes the story of two boys who grow up to fight in the American Civil War
. In 1969, it became a surprise No. 1 top-selling single for entertainer Rolf Harris
in the United Kingdom.
, who briefly visited folk
musician
Ted Egan
during a tour of Arnhem Land
in Australia
. Egan sang him the song, which Harris recorded on tape. Back in the UK
, Harris persuaded his television producer
to incorporate the song into his BBC
variety show
. Harris discovered he had lost the tape and rang Egan, 10,000 miles away in Canberra
, and asked him to sing the song over the phone. Alan Braden arranged the song for the TV show, and a favourable audience reaction prompted Harris to record and release it as a single. The song reached #1 on the singles chart in December 1969
, where it stayed for six weeks, thus becoming the first number-one single of the 1970s. On BBC Radio
Blackburn in 1979, Margaret Thatcher
picked it as a favourite song.
In October 2008, Harris announced he would re-record the song, backed by North Wales' Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir
, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. Proceeds from the new release went to The Poppy Appeal. Harris was inspired to make the recording after participating in My Family at War, a short series of programmes in the BBC's Remembrance season, which was broadcast in November 2008. He discovered that the experiences of his father and uncle during World War I
mirrored the lyrics of the Civil War
song.
recorded the song and included it on their album "Of Horses, Kids, and Forgotten Women", which was released in 1968.
Kenny Rogers
sang a version of the song while he was lead singer of the country-rock band The First Edition
, which was released on their 1971 album Transition
. The song was later revived in 1980 by Splodgenessabounds
and reached #27 on the UK singles chart
. Scottish duo Hue and Cry recorded a jazz-inspired version for their 2009 Xmasday album.
Hartlepool United
football fans have sung "Two Little Boys" on the terraces since the 1980s. A version by a group of Hartlepool fans was released as a double A-side with "Never Say Die" on the single "Poolie Pride
", recorded under the name of "Monkey Hangerz", reaching #24 on the UK Singles Chart in 2006. Rolf Harris
' version was played at the 2005 Coca Cola Championship League 1 Play Off final as the Hartlepool United anthem before the kick off.
The song is also commonly played by Irish
band The Frames
during live performance of their song "Star Star**", as well as by the Canadian-Irish band The Irish Rovers
on the album Children Of The Unicorn.
When being apart from the Mitchell Trio for only half a year, John Denver
performed this song at the Nowhere Coffeehouse in
University of Cincinnati Student Union on May 9, 1969.
appears briefly in "A Pair of Charlies", an episode of Budgie
, the early seventies British drama series starring Adam Faith.
Scottish comedian Billy Connolly
recorded a parody of the song with new lyrics entitled 'Two little boys in blue' on his 'Raw meat for the balcony' LP
in 1977. This version of the song told the story of two boys who grow up to be policemen.
A version with the names changed is sung by the character Spud in the film Trainspotting
after Tommy's funeral.
The song was also featured in Yahtzee's Zero Punctuation
review of Army of Two
.
In an interview for their film X-Men: First Class
, at critic Peter Travers
' request, actors Michael Fassbender
and James McAvoy
sang a rendition of the song as representation of the relationship between their characters Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr.
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
Edward Madden
Edward Madden
Edward Madden was an American lyricist.Madden was born in New York City and graduated from Fordham University. After graduation he wrote material for many singers including Fanny Brice and for vaudeville acts...
. It was written in 1902 and became a popular music hall song of the time, made popular by Harry Lauder
Harry Lauder
Sir Henry Lauder , known professionally as Harry Lauder, was an international Scottish entertainer, described by Sir Winston Churchill as "Scotland's greatest ever ambassador!"-Early life:...
. It describes the story of two boys who grow up to fight in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1969, it became a surprise No. 1 top-selling single for entertainer Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
in the United Kingdom.
Rolf Harris
In 1969, it was revived by Australian entertainer Rolf HarrisRolf Harris
Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
, who briefly visited folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
Ted Egan
Ted Egan
Edward Joseph Egan AO is an Australian folk musician, and was a public servant who served as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 2003 to 2007.-Early life:...
during a tour of Arnhem Land
Arnhem Land
The Arnhem Land Region is one of the five regions of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located in the north-eastern corner of the territory and is around 500 km from the territory capital Darwin. The region has an area of 97,000 km² which also covers the area of Kakadu National...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Egan sang him the song, which Harris recorded on tape. Back in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Harris persuaded his television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
to incorporate the song into his BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
. Harris discovered he had lost the tape and rang Egan, 10,000 miles away in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, and asked him to sing the song over the phone. Alan Braden arranged the song for the TV show, and a favourable audience reaction prompted Harris to record and release it as a single. The song reached #1 on the singles chart in December 1969
1969 in music
-Events:Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts. At a Rolling Stones concert in Altamont, California, a fan was stabbed to death by Hells Angels, a biker gang that had been hired to provide security for the event...
, where it stayed for six weeks, thus becoming the first number-one single of the 1970s. On BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
Blackburn in 1979, Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
picked it as a favourite song.
In October 2008, Harris announced he would re-record the song, backed by North Wales' Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir
Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir
The Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir , also known as the Fron Choir , is an award-winning amateur male voice choir based in the village of Froncysyllte, near Llangollen in Denbighshire, Wales.-Origins & History:...
, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. Proceeds from the new release went to The Poppy Appeal. Harris was inspired to make the recording after participating in My Family at War, a short series of programmes in the BBC's Remembrance season, which was broadcast in November 2008. He discovered that the experiences of his father and uncle during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
mirrored the lyrics of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
song.
Other versions
Hearts & FlowersHearts & Flowers
Hearts & Flowers was a Los Angeles folk-rock club band, perhaps most significant as one of the groups that launched the career of Eagles' founding member and guitarist-songwriter, Bernie Leadon. The lineup included Larry Murray , Dave Dawson and Rick Cunha . Leadon replaced Cunha on their second...
recorded the song and included it on their album "Of Horses, Kids, and Forgotten Women", which was released in 1968.
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
sang a version of the song while he was lead singer of the country-rock band The First Edition
The First Edition
The First Edition was a country music/rock band. Its stalwart members being Kenny Rogers , Mickey Jones and Terry Williams...
, which was released on their 1971 album Transition
Transition (The First Edition album)
-Track listing:#"Take My Hand" #"What Am I Gonna Do" #"All God's Lonely Children" #"Lay It Down" #"Tulsa Turnaround" #"Poem For My Lady"...
. The song was later revived in 1980 by Splodgenessabounds
Splodgenessabounds
Splodgenessabounds are an English punk rock band formed in Keston, Bromley, South London. The band is associated with the Oi! and Punk Pathetique genres. Their frontman is Max Splodge.-Career:...
and reached #27 on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Scottish duo Hue and Cry recorded a jazz-inspired version for their 2009 Xmasday album.
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
football fans have sung "Two Little Boys" on the terraces since the 1980s. A version by a group of Hartlepool fans was released as a double A-side with "Never Say Die" on the single "Poolie Pride
Poolie Pride
"Poolie Pride" is a single released by the Monkey Hangerz in 2005, a group of Hartlepool United fans. The single contained three tracks: "Two Little Boys", "Never Say Die" and "Hartlepool and the Monkey"....
", recorded under the name of "Monkey Hangerz", reaching #24 on the UK Singles Chart in 2006. Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
' version was played at the 2005 Coca Cola Championship League 1 Play Off final as the Hartlepool United anthem before the kick off.
The song is also commonly played by Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
band The Frames
The Frames
The Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
during live performance of their song "Star Star**", as well as by the Canadian-Irish band The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers is a Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963 and named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover". The group is best known for their international television series, and renditions of traditional Irish drinking songs, as well as early hits, Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn",...
on the album Children Of The Unicorn.
When being apart from the Mitchell Trio for only half a year, John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
performed this song at the Nowhere Coffeehouse in
University of Cincinnati Student Union on May 9, 1969.
In popular culture
A version by Roger WhittakerRoger Whittaker
Roger Whittaker is an Anglo-Kenyan singer-songwriter and musician with worldwide record sales of over 55 million. His music can be described as easy listening. He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability...
appears briefly in "A Pair of Charlies", an episode of Budgie
Budgie (TV series)
Budgie was a popular British television series starring former popstar Adam Faith which was produced by ITV company London Weekend Television and broadcast on the ITV network between 1971 and 1972....
, the early seventies British drama series starring Adam Faith.
Scottish comedian Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
recorded a parody of the song with new lyrics entitled 'Two little boys in blue' on his 'Raw meat for the balcony' LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
in 1977. This version of the song told the story of two boys who grow up to be policemen.
A version with the names changed is sung by the character Spud in the film Trainspotting
Trainspotting (film)
Trainspotting is a 1996 British satirical/drama film directed by Danny Boyle based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh. The movie follows a group of heroin addicts in a late 1980s economically depressed area of Edinburgh and their passage through life...
after Tommy's funeral.
The song was also featured in Yahtzee's Zero Punctuation
Zero Punctuation
Zero Punctuation is an ongoing video game review series created by comedy writer and video game journalist Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw and published by the online magazine The Escapist.-Background:...
review of Army of Two
Army of Two
Army of Two is a third person shooter video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. It was released on March 4, 2008 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. The game is centered upon two mercenaries fighting through war, political turmoil, and a conspiracy from 1993 to 2009...
.
In an interview for their film X-Men: First Class
X-Men: First Class
X-Men: First Class is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics starring the X-Men.-Publication history:The original series was an eight-issue limited series. It began in September 2006 and ended in April 2007. It was written by Jeff Parker and penciled by Roger Cruz...
, at critic Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Peter Travers is an American film critic, who has written for, in turn, People and Rolling Stone. Travers also hosts a celebrity interview show called Popcorn on ABC News Now and ABCNews.com.-Career:...
' request, actors Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender is an Irish-German actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Archie Hicox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and Magneto in the superhero blockbuster X-Men: First Class...
and James McAvoy
James McAvoy
James McAvoy is a Scottish stage and screen actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in 1995's The Near Room and continued to make mostly television appearances until the early 2000s. His notable television work includes State of Play, Shameless, and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune...
sang a rendition of the song as representation of the relationship between their characters Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr.
See also
- List of number-one singles of 1969 and 1970 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK)
- List of number-one singles from the 1970s (UK)
External links
- BBC article discussing the origin of the song