"Very Suspicious" is a song/medley Harry Clifton wrote as a duet for himself and Fanny Edwards, a fellow music hall performer for whom he abandoned his wife. In light of this, I find the theme of the song (a wife's suspicions) rather ironic.

All the tunes are taken from earlier songs, by Clifton and others. For me, the songs used are more interesting that this song (which gives doggerel a bad name), but it furnishes an excuse to discuss these other songs a bit, and three elusive tunes have turned up here: for "A Norrible Tale of the Suicidal Family", "Hunkey Dorum" and Clifton's "Awfully Jolly".


VERY SUSPICIOUS
   Comic duet sung by Harry Clifton and Fanny Edwards.
   Written by Harry Clifton. [1868]
   Music by various composers as indicated below.
   Arranged by Martin Hobson.

        1. Tune: Awfully Jolly (verse and chorus)
        HE.
The first years of our matrimonial life,
   I consider'd extremely delicious,
But lately my charming and dutiful wife,
   You appear to be very suspicious;
I cannot walk out by myself half a mile,
   Or dine with a few hearty fellows,
But a frown on your face take the place of a smile,
   You've grown so ecessively jealous.
        SHE.
You were fond of your home, Sir, and proud of your wife,
   And to wander was never ambitious.
        HE.
But lately there's nothing but trouble and strife,
   Since you've grown so very suspicioius.

        2. Tune: Up in a Balloon (verse and chorus)
        SHE.
Suspicious you say, no wonder indeed,
Your conduct's outrageous
        HE.
                        Go on, Ma'am, proceed.
Your manners are charming and lady-like quite.
        SHE.
You may sneer as you please, Sir, but you know I'm right.
It's lucky my temper is even and mild.
        HE.
Remarkably so, quite the style of a child,
A temper like yours, when your tongue is unfurl'd,
Would make a man wish himself out of the world.
   Or up in a balloon, Ma'am up in a balloon.
   That's where I shall wish my self, Believe me very soon.
   Up in a balloon, Ma'am, Up in a balloon,
   I should get a little peace, if I was up in a balloon.

        3. Tune: I'll Meet Thee in the Lane (verse only)
        SHE.
You promis'd to be home, Sir, at six to dine,
Instead of that you come, Sir, at half past nine.
        HE.
Allow me to explain, love, And then you'll not complain, love,
Business me detain'd, love, Till the clock struck nine.
        SHE.
Not business Sir, but pleasure.
The home you once did treasure,
You come come at your leisure,
And wish me to believe.
That business could detain you till half past nine.
If that is your excuse, Sir, I must decline
To hear another word, Sir,
Such quibbles are absurd, Sir.
        HE.
Why cannot I convince this wife of mine!

        4. Tune: Norrible Tale [A Norrible Tale of the Suicidal Family]
        HE.
I've often heard it said and sung
That men and women, old and young,
If e'er convinc'd against their will
Were of the same opinion still:
And as I can't tonight, forsooth,
Convince my wife I speak the truth,
A simple plan I will essay,
To drive some jealous thoughts away.

        5. Tune: Bear It Like a Man (chorus only)
And gaily sing from day to day,
   And do the best I can
To drive such jealous thoughts away,
   Or bear it like a man.

        6. Tune: Tommy Dodd (verse and chorus)
        SHE.
A letter here address'd to him,
   To read I can't resist.
Dear Brown, we meet at half past eight,
   A quiet hand at whist.
And Champagne supper just for five,
   Altho' the number's odd;
There's Fred and Charley (Jones don't play),
   Yours truly, Tommy Dodd.

   I know, Sir, what detains you now,
     It's Tommy Dodd, Tommy Dodd,
   Pretty business you'll allow,
     Tommy Dodd, Tommy Dodd.
   Who he is I'd like to know
        HE.
     He's Tommy Dodd, Tommy Dodd,
   A glorious fellow in a row,
     Hurrah for Tommy Dodd!

        7. Tune: Hunky Dorum
        SHE.
A specimen you of a family man,
   Hunky Dorum diddle um day.
You're going to ruin as fast as you can.
   Hunky Dorum diddle um day.
I'll leave you Mr Willoughby Brown,
   Hunky Dorum diddle um day.
And go to my Mother in Camden Town,
   As sure as my name's Martha Brown,
I'll go to my mother in Camden Town.
        HE.
   As sure as your name's Martha Brown,
You can go to your Mother in Camden Town.

        8. Tune: [Little] Maggie May (first couplet of verse only)
        SHE.
Mayhap you'll sometimes think of me, As with your friends you roam,
And pass away the hours so gay Far from your happy home.

        9. Tune: Come Home, Father
        HE.
Martha, dear Martha, pray list to me now;
   It's high time to finish my fun.
I came home last night tho' you started a row,
   As soon as my day's work was done.
The letter you pick'd up was written by me
   In jest, just to tease you, so, come
And let use be friend and the whole world will see
   How happy we can be at home.
     At home, at home, at home,
   How happy we can be at home.
Your face shall be cover'd with smiles,
   I shall know then where'er I may roam
In spite of the frowns and the cares of the world,
   There's a smile waiting for me at home!


Source: Sheet music published by Hopwood and Crew; serial number 1480.
Sheet music can be seen at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Steve Gardham's notes:

Cover

"VERY SUSPICIOUS
OR
FAMILY JARS"

COMIC DUETT.
SUNG BY
MISS FANNY EDWARDS, AND MR. HARRY CLIFTON
AT HIS
POPULAR CONCERTS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
London, HOPWOOD & CREW 42 New Bond St. W
Alfred Concanen litho, monotint beige of HC and FE in character. Besuted HC top hat in hand and both hands on hips looking apprehensively at FE who is returning the look reproachfully with raised palm

Inside
"VERY SUSPICIOUS".
COMIC DUET.
Written by Mr. Harry Clifton.               Arranged by M. Hobson.
Serial number H & C 1480

OLIS has the sheet music published by Joseph Williams, serial number 7099
The Era (via Sminky) dates it at 1868 and many of the tunes specified also date from this year or just before. OLIS refs. Harding R682 and R1073.
No known survivals or broadsides.

1. tune: "AWFULLY JOLLY" (Clifton's own song of 1868 sometimes titled 'The Christmas party)

2. tune: "UP IN A BALLOON" (Written by G W Hunt, George Leybourne's big hit of 1868)

3. tune: "I'LL MEET THEE IN THE LANE" (A Christy Minstrels piece of the period)

[incomplete]


This is a brief outline of the songs whose tunes were used:

1. Awfully Jolly: see Steve's note above
Lyrics, ABC and MIDI to follow.

2. Up in a Balloon: words and music by G[eorge].W. Hunt.
Sheet music in the Lester S. Levy Collection.
For transcribed lyrics and a MIDI see Jim Dixon's post here:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=6100#2394003

3. I'll Meet Thee in the Lane (or, My Sweet Mountain Rose): words and music by Charles Blamphin, 1866.
Sheet music in the Lester S. Levy Collection.
Sappy song, but for musical completeness, ABC and MIDI to follow.

4. A Norrible Tale of The Suicidal Family: written by E.L. [Edward Litt Laman] Blanchard, 1853? at least by 1864.
Lyrics, ABC and MIDI to follow.

5. Bear It Like a Man: words by Clifton, music originally by Charles Coote, jr.
See this thread: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=129496
MIDI

6. Tommy Dodd: words and music by Ernée Clarke.
Sheet music in the Lester S. Levy Collection.
Transcription and MIDI to follow.

7. Hunkey Dorum: written by George Washington Moore, <= 1866.
Of this song, I've only found partial lyrics quoted by Charles Dickens in an article lambasting the state of popular entertainment in the theaters. This seems to have appeared around Sept. 1866.
         I was out one day for a lark,
            Hunkey Dorum, we am de boys,
         I met a lubly gal in de park,
            Hunkey dorum, doodle dum day.
Based on this sampling, I haven't felt a need to pursue research further. However, I will provide the tune.

8. Little Maggie May: words by G.W. Moore, music by Charles Blamphin.
At pdmusic.org: MIDI (as arr. Charles Harris for guitar), lyrics

9. Come Home, Father: words and music by Henry Clay Work, 1864
DigiTrad: http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1284
MIDI
Thread: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=127894
Thread on Henry Clay Work: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=108905
At pdmusic.org: MIDI, lyrics