A 1908 popular song.
Words by Henry Blossom.
Music by Victor Herbert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Once a little soldier, little wooden soldier
In a little Punch and Judy show
Loved a little dancer, dainty little dancer
In a little ballet gown you know
But he could not tell her
Never could he tell her
That to her he’d lost his soldier’s heart
For by means of strings and other cruel things
They seemed to be forever kept apart
Yet he loved her so madly, he’d die for her gladly
And softly, sadly he would sigh
“If she only knew that to her I am true
I am sure that to my love her heart would fondly reply
But alas! It was fated, they ne’er should be mated
His soul was filled with vain regrets
But seldom e’en mortals may enter the portals
Of love, and so it is with Marionettes
Sung here by Vancha March: