Wherever he would go
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago
His snowy hair was so much whiter
Beneath the candle glow
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago

You’d hear the patter of his feet
As he came toddling down the street
His smile would cheer a lonely heart, you see
If there were sweethearts in the park
He’d pass a lamp and leave it dark
Remembering the days that used to be
For he recalled when things were new
He loved someone who loved him too
Who walks with him alone in memories

He made the night a little brighter
Wherever he would go
The old lamplighter
Of long, long ago
His snowy hair was so much whiter
Beneath the candle glow
The old lamplighter 
Of long, long ago

Now if you look up in the sky
You’ll understand the reason why
The little stars at night are all aglow
He turns them on when night is near
He turns them off when dawn is here


The little man we left so long ago
He made the night a little brighter
Wherever he would go
The old lamplighter of long, long ago

Words and music by Charles Tobias and Nat Simon. Recorded by The Browns, 1960.

Picture this, if you will, and I can get a pretty good mental image. It’s late in the 19th century on a street at night in a small town. A familiar figure makes his way down the street with a long pole, stopping to light the gas or kerosene lamps on the way. He was called the lamplighter in those long gone days before electric street lights. His job has been the subject of nostalgic lore and songs, such as this one by The Three Browns.

There’s something more profound at work here, though, than nostalgia and social history. It has to do with people who are very special in our lives and who come along at critical times and crucial junctures, for a reason. They light lamps in the dark for us, so to speak. They light the way by their presence and the power of their friendship.

I think when we are going through especially difficult times, we need lamplighters, for the way can be dark and dangerous. Lamplighters bring comfort and assurance that we are not alone and that things will be alright.