He said they marched straight into his heart with their music. Come on, little people," he said; 'there is room for you all." 66 He said, My heart is so big, there is room for all children. I will put my big arms around you, and you will put your little arms around me. I will sing my songs to you; I will tell you my stories. I will love you, and you will make me happy." This man's name was Eugene Field. Eugene Field loved all little people so much that he wrote his sweetest songs for them. THE DRUM I'm a beautiful red, red drum, And I train with the soldier boys; As up the street we come, Wonderful is our noise! There's Tom, and Jim, and Phil, And Dick, and Nat, and Fred, While Widow Cutler's Bill And I march on ahead, With a r-r-rat-tat-tat, And a tum-titty-um-tum-tum Oh, there's bushels of fun in that For boys with a little red drum ! The Injuns came last night While the soldiers were abed And the soldiers are marching to seize With tum-titty-um-tum-tum, And r-r-rat-tat-tat, When soldiers marching come Step up there, little Fred, And, Charley, have a mind! Jim is as far ahead As you two are behind! Ready with gun and sword Your valorous work to do Yonder the Injun horde Are lying in wait for you. And their hearts go pitapat When they hear the soldiers come With a r-r-rat-tat-tat And a tum-titty-um-tum-tum ! Course it's all in play! The skulking Injun crew That hustled the kite away Are little white boys, like you! But "honest" or "just in fun," Home once again march we With a r-r-rat-tat-tat And tum-titty-um-tum-tum; And there's glory enough in that For the boys with their little red drum! |