Charles Dickens and Music Part 21

MEN OF PROMETHEUS (_S.B.T._ 9)

See p. 26.

This was the name given to the first edition of Beethoven's ballet music to _Prometheus_, composed in 1800.

MISS WACKLES, I BELIEVED YOU TRUE (_O.C.S._ 8)

'Mary, I believed thee true,' _Moore_ (one of his 'Juvenile Poems').

Mary, I believed thee true, And I was blest in so believing, But now I mourn that e'er I knew A girl so fair and so deceiving!

It has been suggested that these words were adapted and sung to the Scotch air 'Gala Water.'

MY BOAT IS ON THE Sh.o.r.e (_G.S._) (_D.C._ 54, _Letters_)

Words by _Lord Byron_. _Bishop._

See p. 12.

Also set by W. Cratherne.

MY FEELINGS I SMOTHER (_O.C.S._ 36)

See 'We met.'

MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS (_O.C.S._ 2, _S.B.S._ 2)

Words partly by _Burns_.

In Captain Fraser's _Airs Peculiar to the Scottish Highlands_, 1816.

There is a parody by d.i.c.kens (see Forster's _Life_, ch. 8).

NEVER LEAVE OFF DANCING (_D.C._ 41)

Said to be the subject of a French song.

NO MALICE TO DREAD, SIR (_O.M.F._)

See p. 134.

NON n.o.bIS (_S.B.S._ 19)

This celebrated canon, by Byrd, has been performed at public dinners from time immemorial. It also used to be performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.

NOW'S THE DAY, AND NOW'S THE HOUR (_D.C._ 54)

Verse 2 of 'Scots, Wha Hae' (_Burns_).

Now's the day, and now's the hour, See the front o' battle lour, See approach proud Edward's power, Chains and slaverie.

OF ALL THE GIRLS THAT ARE SO SMART (_O.C.S._ 50)

Words and music by _Henry Carey_.

Carey composed his melody in 1715. It soon became popular, but owing to the similarity of certain phrases to those of an older tune known as 'The Country La.s.s,' the two gradually got mixed up, with the result that the latter became the recognized setting.

OFF SHE GOES (_S.B.T._ 7)

A once popular dance air.

OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT (_S.B.S._ 13)

From T. Moore's _National Airs_, set to an air possibly of Scotch origin. There are also settings by Stevenson and Hullah.

OH BLAME NOT THE BARD (_O.C.S._ 35)

Words by _T. Moore_.

In _Irish Melodies_. Set to the tune 'Kitty Tyrrel.'

OH GIVE ME BUT MY ARAB STEED (_O.C.S._ 21)

Words by _T.H. Bayly_. _G.A. Hodson._

Written in 1828. Sung by Braham.

Oh give me but my Arab steed, My prince defends his right, And I will to the battle speed, To guard him in the fight.

OH CHEERILY, CHEERILY (_D. & S._ 32)

Original, but a refrain similar to this is not uncommon in old sea songs.

OH LADY FAIR (_G.E._ 13)