Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)

Subject: Lyr Add: NEVER LOOK BEHIND (Harry Clifton)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 03:50 AM

NEVER LOOK BEHIND
   by Harry Clifton
   Tempo: Allegretto

1. How many folks repine at Fate, And bow their heads to sorrow,
I laugh when cares upon me wait, I know they'll leave tomorrow;
And easily thro' life I glide, 'Tis always the best I fing
To carry my troubles cheerfully And never look behind.

        [Chorus]
   For what's the use of looking back Or giving way to sorrow,
   The skies today that look so black, May brighter be tomorrow;
   'Tis easy to drive dull care away, If you've the strength of mind
   To carry your troubles cheerfully, And never look behind.

2. In journeying along the road Of Life, you'll meet with many
A man who'll throw a pound away Because he's lost a penny,
And wander from the beaten track, As if he felt inclined
To look for some new trouble, Which he might have left behind.

3. Others too will try and make A fortune in a hurry,
And if they don't succeed at once, Will fret and fume and worry,
"What can't be cured must be endured" Is a maxim old and true.
"Don't care for care," then rest assured That care won't care for you.

4. In life at times we must expect To meet with "things unpleasant."
We can't recall the time that's past, But may improve the present,"
Deal fairly with your fellow man, To ev'ry one be kind
And hope for bright and better days, But never look behind.


Source: Sheet music published by White & Goullaud, 86 Tremont St., Boston. 1870.
which can be seen at The Levy Collection at Johns Hopkins University

Other information on the cover:
Popular Songs
As Sung With Immense Success By
[Picture of a teapot with small 3/4 profile of Gus Williams superimposed.]
Gus Williams,
the American star comique.

[Song series:]
1. Polly Put the Kettle On.
2. Never Look Behind.
3. Wait for the Turn of the Tide.
4. Taking My Ease.

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Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 09:47 AM

"ROUND ROOM, ROTUNDO

Mr Harry Clifton will, in addition to many old favourites, sing several of the following:

'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe'
'Uncle John's Birthday'
'Don't Be After Ten'
'Never Look Behind'
'Ten Minutes Too Late'
'Happy As The Days Are Long'
'Welcome As The Flowers of May'
'The Leicestershire Squire'

And will, in conjunction with Miss Annie Kinnaird, appear in two original comic character duets."

Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Oct 25 1870

That's the earliest mention of 'Never Look Behind' I've found.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)
From: r.padgett
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 01:08 PM

You working on the Midi ~ Arty or is it here already?

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 04:22 PM

MIDI posted, thanks to Artful Codger. I had to delay about 12 hours - bedtime and chores....

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Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 06:48 PM

To Ray: I normally send off the MIDIs immediately after I post the lyrics, but you've got to expect some latency! Joe's been a brick about getting these things posted in short order. The one time I sent him the MIDI before posting the lyrics, he beat me to the draw! If I wore a hat, it would be off to him.


To Sminky: The 1870 mention of "The Leicestershire Squire" is interesting because this is the subtitle of "A Jolly Old Country Squire", which the sheet music called "Harry Clifton's Last Song", and the serial number seems to bear this out. I thought it possible that "Last" simply meant "latest", but no other piece of sheet music I've seen made a similar boast, or has a later H&C serial number. The 1870 date, however, makes the boast questionable, since Clifton continued working (and, presumably, writing new material) until shortly before his death. On the other hand, the cover of JOCS also bore the subtitle "Yo! Ho! Tally Ho! and Away We Go", so the publishers may have confused two separate Clifton squire songs; there are no place names in the lyrics that would specifically tie JOCS to Leicestershire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Never Look Behind (Harry Clifton)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 07:22 PM

I have a note that the music for "Never Look Behind" was written by Charles Coote, jr.