Charles Dickens and MusicLightwood, James T. (James Thomas)
General
Charles Dickens and Music
Lightwood, James T. (James Thomas)
Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 -- Knowledge -- Music; Music and literature
Susan Blamire was born at Carden Hall, near Carlisle. Very few
of her poems were published under her own name, as well-born
ladies of those days disliked seeing their names published as
authors. 'The Siller Crown,' from which this verse is taken,
is in the Cumberland dialect. It first appeared anonymously
in the _Scots Musical Museum_, 1790, and the authorship was
subsequently settled by members of the family.
AND YOU NEEDN'T, MR. VENUS, BE YOUR BLACK BOTTLE (_O.M.F._).
See p. 134.
A STIFF NOR'-WESTER'S BLOWING, BILL (_D. & S._ 49)
From 'The Sailor's Consolation.'
One night came on a hurricane,
The seas were mountains rolling,
When Barney Buntline turned his quid,
And said to Billy Bowling,
A stiff Nor'-Wester's blowing, Bill,
Hark, don't you hear it roar now?
Lord help 'em! how I pity's all
Unhappy folk ashore now.
Mr. Kidson says in reference to this: 'I do not know that it was
ever written to music, though I fancy more than one popular tune
has been set to the words, which are by a person named Pitt.'
AULD LANG SYNE ('Holly Tree,' _D.C._ 17, 28)
Words by _Burns_.
A version of the melody occurs at the end of the overture to
Shield's _Rosina_, 1783, and is either his own composition or
an imitation of some Scotch melody. As, however, such melody
has not hitherto been discovered, no great importance can be
attached to this theory. _Rosina_ was performed in Edinburgh.
Some maintain that the tune is taken from a Scotch reel known as
the 'Miller's Wedding,' found in Bremner's _Reels_ (1757-1761).
AWAY WITH MELANCHOLY (_O.C.S._ 58, _O.M.F._ ii. 6, _P.P._ 44,
_D.C._ 8)
The melody is from Mozart's _Magic Flute_, 'Das klinget
so herrlich'--a chorus with glockenspiel accompaniment.
The writer of the words is unknown.
The air was introduced into an arrangement of Shakespeare's
_Tempest_, and set to the words 'To moments so delighting!'
sung by Miss Stephens. Also found as a duet 'composed by
Sigr. Mozart, arranged by F.A. Hyde.'
BAY OF BISCAY (_U.T._ 31, _D. & S._ 39, _P.P._ 32)
Words by _Andrew Cherry_. _J. Davy._
Also see under 'A Frog He Would.'
BEETHOVEN'S SONATA IN B.
See p. 28.
BEGONE, DULL CARE (_O.C.S._ 7, _E.D._ 2)
Author unknown. The words occur in various song-books of the
eighteenth century. The tune is seventeenth century, possibly
derived from the 'Queen's Jigg' in the _Dancing Master_.
Begone, dull care, I prithee begone from me;
Begone, dull care, you and I can never agree.
The words were set as a glee by John Sale, and this may be
the music that Dickens knew.
BELIEVE ME, IF ALL JARLEY'S WAXWORKS SO RARE (_O.C.S._ 27)
A parody on the following.
BELIEVE ME, IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS (_B.H._ 55)
Words by _T. Moore_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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