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 You'd hear the patter of his feet As he came toddling down the street His smile would hide 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 recalls when dreams were new He loved someone who loved him too Who walks with him alone in memory He made the night a little brighter wherever he would go The old lamplighter of long, long ago, long ago He made the night a little brighter wherever he would go The old lamplighter of long, long ago, long ago Now if you look up at the sky You'll understand the reason why The little stars at night are all aglow He turns them on when night is here He turns them off when dawn is near The little man we loved of long ago