| AKA | |
| First Published | 1883 |
| Writer/composer | Henry Miller / JP Skelly | Roud | RN1756 |
| Music Hall Performers | Bohee Brothers, J Fuller, Harry Hunter, Will Raymond, Nellie Wallace |
| Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Deacon, Gertrude; USA; 1893 T., J.; USA : New York : 1897 Jones, Leonard W.; USA : California : 1939 Weddle, Mrs. Susan; USA : N. Carolina : 1939 Woods, Mrs. Jessie USA : Arkansas : 1959 Scarce, Bob; England : Suffolk : 1964-5 Master, Mac; Canada : Newfoundland : 1969 Hancock, George; England : Yorkshire : 1970 McGrath, John; Canada : Newfoundland : 1972 Beeforth, Jack; England : Yorkshire : 1974 Bridger, Charlie; England : Kent : 1983 Huntington, Gale / Welcome Tilton; USA : Massachusetts : no date |
From US Sheet Music A Boy's Best Friend is his Mother Words by Harry Miller, Music by JP Skelly While plodding on our way, the toilsome road of life, How few the friends that daily there we meet! Not many will stand by in trouble and in strife, With counsel and affection ever sweet! But there is one whose smile will ever on us beam, Whose love is dearer far than any other, And wherever we may turn, This lesson we will learn: A boy's best friend is his mother. Then cherish her with care, And smooth her silv'ry hair. When gone, you will never get another; And wherever we may turn, This lesson we shall learn: A boy's best friend is his mother. Tho' all the world may frown and ev'ry friend depart, She never will forsake us in our need! Our refuge evermore is still within her heart. For us her loving sympathy will plead! Her pure and gentle smile, forever cheers our way. 'Tis sweeter and 'tis purer than all other! When she goes from earth away, We'll find out while we stray, A boy's best friend is his mother. Her fond and gentle face not long may greet us here; Then cheer her with our kindness and our love! Remember at her knee in childhood bright and dear, We heard her voice like angel's from above! Tho' after years may bring their gladness or their woe, Her love is sweeter far than any other! And our longing heart will learn, Wherever we may turn, A boy's best friend is his mother.
A sentimental American song from the early 1880s, first sung by black-face minstrels on both sides of the Atlantic, it later became part of the repertoire of the Music Hall comedian Nellie Wallace. It has entered the repertoire of traditional singers in both America and the British Isles.
I suspect there may be several similar sentimental songs which on occasion have got mixed up with this one. Nonetheless if you come across a song called A boys best friend is his mother it’s likely to be this one. Joseph P Kelly – its composer, reputedly wrote hundreds of songs, but sold them for a pittance to fund a dissipated lifestyle. I have found out little about the lyricist Harry Miller, other than the fact that a black-face performer of that name appeared with a number of touring minstrel troupes and was still performing in 1914.
At least one other American song was published with the same or a similar name in the 1880s – credited either to Frank Mills or Ben Williams, its first line was I’ve been thinking, of late, of the time that’s passed away (RNV38845)
Another song from Nellie Wallace which has entered the repertoire of traditional singers is Half Past Nine
An American version from 1925:
Sources:
- VWML entry
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Turner and Miall, The Parlour Song Book p170
- US Sheet Music: Levy Collection
- The other song can be found at the Library of Congress # 1 and the Library of Congress # 2
- Mudcat thread
- Ballad Index
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: December 13, 2023
