A Little Boy's Prayer

Annotation

Edan Benn, a young child, narrated the track "A Little Boy's Prayer" (Liberty Records # 55947). Arranged and produced by Tommy Oliver - a major conductor in Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s. He also co-wrote this song with Bud Miller. As suggested in the title of the song, the lyrics took the form of a child's prayer. With his birthday approaching, the boy did not want any toys, just that god "please bring my daddy back home...he is a soldier". The boys mother had explained the situation to him, which included some patriotic, pro-government sentiment: "we are at war and he is fighting to protect us". The boy said that he missed out on lots of father-son activities, such as fishing, camping, boating, and going to ball games, which his other friends did with their fathers. The boy also acknowledged that his mother greatly missed the soldier.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Now lay me down to sleep, a ray the lord my soul to keep / If I should die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take / God bless mommy, little Sue, baby John, and especially my daddy / Please lord can I have a little of your time to ask a special favour / You see, tomorrow is my birthday and all week my mommy has been asking me what I want for my birthday present / But I haven't been able to tell her, oh I want something alright / But I haven't told anyone yet, except I'm going to tell you now lord / For my birthday present could you please bring my daddy back home to me / You see he is a soldier and I really miss him / Mommy says we are at war / And he is fighting to protect us / But other daddies are here / But is it only my daddy that is protecting us? / If he could only be here just tomorrow for my birthday cake and then...go back to war... / My daddy was going to take me fishing and camping and boating... / He was even going to take me to some ball games this year / But now we can't go because the army asked for him instead / I don't even care about the darn old games, if I could just see him again / I know mommy misses him too, a terrible lot, she doesn't say so / But I know, I want you to know lord, I love her a lot, and try to be good to her and make her feel better / But after all she's only a girl... / I know you are busy lord so thanks for taking this time / I promise if you bring my daddy home I'll never ask for a present ever again

Notes

Liberty 55947 (LB-2367), tan "Audition Record" promotional label, Liberty Records, Inc., Los Angeles, California; "A Little Boy's Prayer" (Bud Miller-Tommy Oliver), 2:37, Metric Music Co. / Retlaw Music, BMI; arranged and produced by Tommy Oliver. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Religion · Child

In collections

Children on Record · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]