Charles Dickens and Music Part 25

'TIS THE VOICE OF THE SLUGGARD (_M.C._ 9) _Dr. Watts._

'TWAS EVER THUS FROM CHILDHOOD'S HOUR (_O.C.S._ 56, _D.C._ 38)

('Oh ever,' &c.)

Words by _Moore_.

From 'Lalla Rookh.' Has been set to music by S. Glover, E. Souper, and Verini.

VILLIKENS AND HIS DINAH

Sung by Mr. Robson and by S. Cowell.

Composer unknown. A very popular song 1850-1860.

It's of a liquor merchant who in London did dwell, He had but one darter, a beautiful gal.

Her name it was Dinah, just sixteen years old, And she had a large fortune in silver and gold.

To my too-ral-lal loo-ral-li loo-ral-li-day.

WAPPING OLD STAIRS (_U.T._ 3) _J. Percy._

WEEP FOR THE HOUR (_O.M.F._)

See p. 133.

WE MET (_O.C.S._ 36, _S.B.T._ 11) _T.H. Bayly._

The story of a girl who was compelled by her mother to jilt her true love and marry some one else. The story ends with the words misquoted by Swiveller:

The world may think me gay, For my feelings I smother-- Oh! _thou_ hast been the cause Of this anguish, my mother!

WE'RE A'NODDIN' (_B.H._ 39)

_Anonymous._

A once popular Scotch song.

O we're a' noddin, nid nid noddin, O we're a' noddin at our house at home; How's o' wi' ye, kimmer? And how do ye thrive, And how many bairns hae ye now? Bairns I hae five.

WE WON'T GO HOME TILL MORNING (_P.P._ 7)

Said in the _London Singer's Magazine_ (c. 1839) to be written and composed by C. Blondel ('adapted and arranged'

might be more correct). The tune is founded on an air known as Malbrough, or Malbrook, which originated during the Duke of Marlborough's campaign, 1704-1709, known as 'The War of the Spanish Succession.'

WHAT ARE THE WILD WAVES SAYING?

Words by _J.E. Carpenter_. _Stephen Glover._

This duet was founded upon the question little Paul Dombey asks his sister:

I want to know what it says--the sea, Floy, what is it that it keeps on saying?

WHEN HE WHO ADORES THEE (_O.C.S._ 35)

Words by _Moore_.

In _Irish Melodies_ to the air 'The Fox's Sleep.'

WHEN I WENT TO LUNNON TOWN, SIRS (_G.E._ 15)

Probably original. The nearest I have found to it is--

THE ASTONISHED COUNTRYMAN, OR, A BUSTLING PICTURE OF LONDON.

When first I came to London Town, How great was my surprise, Thought I, the world's turned upside down, Such wonders met my eyes.

And in _The Universal Songster_--

When I arrived in London Town, I got my lesson pat, &c.

WHEN IN DEATH I SHALL CALM RECLINE

Moore's _Irish Melodies_.

In 1833 d.i.c.kens wrote a travesty called _O' Th.e.l.lo_, in which is a humorous solo of eight lines, to be sung to the air to which the above is set.

WHEN LOVELY WOMAN STOOPS TO FOLLY (_O.C.S._ 56)

'Do my pretty Olivia,' cried she, 'let us have that little melancholy air your papa was so fond of; your sister Sophy has already obliged us. Do, child, it will please your old father.' She complied in a manner so exquisitely pathetic, as moved me.

When lovely woman stoops to folly, And finds, too late, that men betray, What charm can soothe her melancholy?

What art can wash her guilt away?

(Goldsmith's _Vicar of Wakefield_, ch. xxiv.)