Little Tin Soldier

Shawn Phillips


Once in a town in the black forest
A little white toy shop stood
And a little tin soldier with only one leg
Lived in a castle of wood
And across the room on another shelf
Stood a little glass shelf
And a tiny ballerina lived in there
All in a dress of lace
And from where the little tin soldier stood
They could see each other so clear
And the little tin soldier watched over her
With a love that was so dear

Then one day sadness came
The tiny ballerina was sold
The little tin soldier was thrown away
And into the gutter he rolled
The water carried him to many far-off lands
He made many children happy
As he passed through their tiny hands

But then one day they met again
In a house in the land of Eire
When the clock on the wall struck the midnight hour
They jumped into a fire
And in this fire they shall stay
Forever and a day
For the fire, Lord, is the fire of love
Just like the peaceful dove