The Old Lamplighter
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns · The Three Bells [Bear Family] [1993]
He made the night a little brighter
Wherever he would go
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago.
His snowy hair was so much whiter
Beneath the candle glow
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago
You'd hear the patter of his feet
As he came toddling down the street
His smile would hide a lonely heart you see
If there were sweethearts in the park
He'd pass a lamp and leave it dark
Remembering the days that used to be.
For he recalls when dreams were new
he loves someone who loves him too
Who walks with him alone in memory
He made the night a little brighter
wherever he would go
The old lamplighter of long, long ago.
Now if you look up at the sky
You'll understand the reason why
The little stars at night are all aglow
He turns them on when night is here
He turns them off when dawn is near
The little man we loved of long ago.
He made the night a little brighter
wherever he would go
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago...
The Old Lamplighter
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns deliver a nostalgic performance on "The Old Lamplighter," a track that captures the enduring spirit of traditional English folk music. As a member of the renowned Brown family, Jim Ed Brown brought a distinct vocal warmth to this recording, which appears on the 1993 Bear Family compilation. The song evokes the quiet atmosphere of pre-electric street life, focusing on the solitary figure responsible for lighting the gas lamps in the evening. This recording stands as a testament to the group's ability to interpret classic material with sincerity and emotional depth. While the specific album serves as a collection of various tracks, the song itself remains a poignant example of the group's engagement with historical themes and their commitment to preserving the acoustic traditions of their genre.