Subject: Lyr Add: JONES' MUSICAL PARTY (Harry Clifton)
From:
Artful Codger
Date: 27 May 10 - 01:03 AM
Jones' Musical Party is an unusual Harry Clifton song in that four song parodies are embedded between its verses (which share a common tune). I've prepared a MIDI of the entire piece, including piano accompaniment and bridges, but for "study" purposes, I've also prepared separate MIDIs of the various tunes used—except for "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", which I assume everyone knows.
First I'll present the song outline, then the lyrics (with Steve Gardham's notes), then the ABCs for each tune, and then some notes on the songs being parodied.
In the song outline, numbers in square brackets correspond to the numbering for ABC tunes and MIDI files.
Song outline
Piano introduction
Verse 1:
[1] Basic tune (8 lyric lines)
Reprise of first half of basic tune (using remaining 4 lyric lines)
Piano break 1
Verse 2:
Basic tune
[2] "Oh would I were a bird" parody
Piano break 2
Verse 3:
Basic tune
[3] "Oh if I had someone to love me" parody
Piano break 2
Verse 4:
Basic tune
[4] "Oh, Jerusalem", short comic song
Piano break 2
Verse 5:
Basic tune
"When Johnny comes marching home" verse
Narrative conclusion sung to "When Johnny"
Brief piano conclusion
JONES' MUSICAL PARTY
Written and sung by Harry Clifton. [ca. 1867]
Arranged by Michael Hobson.
[1st Verse.]
Mrs Jones gave a musical party,
And friends she invited them all.
There was old Mr Bonner so hearty,
And young Mr Jenkins so tall,
And singing young Ladies, they came by the dozen,
With half-a-crown copies tied up in a roll.
Handsome Miss Johnson, her bother and cousin,
And Bunker who prates of his musical soul.
And very queer songs they were singing,
If I can remember a few,
As they are in ears ringing;
I'll try and repeat them to you.
2nd Verse.
After a deal of persuasion
Miss Johnson consented to sing
A piece of her vocalization,
Which doubtless she thought quite the thing.
She simper'd and whimper'd in such a queer manner,
And up to the instrument came with a swing;
And thumping five minutes upon the Piano,
For symphony, this is the song she did sing:
"Oh would I were a bird,"
Now was not that absurd
To hear a lady singing,
She would like to be a bird.
How very strange to see,
Her perch'd upon a tree,
And screwing up her mouth,
To whistle some new melody.
Could she get any rest
Tuck'd up in a nest,
And feeding on canary seed
And chickweed of the best?
So I thought it so absurd,
To wish she was a bird,
But that was not the only very funny song I heard.
3rd Verse.
A tall sentimental young lady
Was press'd very hard for a song.
Young--did I say on the shady side
Of two score; perhaps I am wrong.
She twisted her mouth in a curious fashion,
Her hands on the instrument came with a bang,
Went over the keys in a style she thought dashing,
And this was the style of the song that she sang:
"Oh, if I had someone to love me"--
I though it would be a hard case.
If she ever found someone to love her,
She made such a funny grimace.
She wanted someone to share trouble;
Their care to the winds she would fling
And change her from single to double,
So she continued to sing,
"Oh if I had someone to love me"--
I thought, tho' it may be too bad,
If 'twould put an end to her singing,
We'd be satisfied if she had.
4th Verse.
Young Tomkins, who's just one and twenty,
Consider'd a nob and a swell,
If cheek constitutes, he had plenty
And self estimation as well.
He said, "he would give us a comical ditty,
If we'd join in the coal-box": that was his slang.
I cannot acknowledge 'twas wonderfully witty;
Judge for yourselves by the song that he sang:
Oh! Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Oh! Jerusalem, the costermonger's donkey.
Oh! Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Oh! Jerusalem, the costermonger's donkey.
5th Verse.
Of their singing and shouting, quite tired
I was, when a gentleman cried
In a song that is always admired
Whenever to sing it I've tried.
It certainly was not a drawing-room ditty.
I'll try and remember a verse if I can.
He claim'd our indulgence as well as our pity
And clearing his throat--"Ahem"--in this style he began:
1. When Johnny comes marching home again,
Hurrah! hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then.
Hurrah! hurrah!
The girls will sing and the boys will shout
And neighbours say, "They'll all turn out,"
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.
2. They shouted out till they were hoarse:
Hurrah! hurrah!
Discordant voices loud and coarse:
Hurrah! hurrah!
Unobserv'd I slipp'd away
Well satisfied with ev'ry lay,
Tho' I cannot say, "that I felt gay
Till I was safe at home.
Tho' I cannot say, "that I felt gay
Till I was safe at home.
Source: Period sheet music published by Hopwood and Crew, serial number 1117
Lyrics and MIDI transcriptions by Artful Codger.
Notes by Steve Gardham:
Cover I
JONES' MUSICAL PARTY
(THE COMICAL CONCERT)
A SONG OF SONGS
BY
HARRY CLIFTON,
AND SUNG BY HIM AT HIS POPULAR CONCERTS
IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
London, HOPWOOD & CREW, 42 New Bond St
Litho by Maguire, monotint beige with HC in foreground looking very bemused at demented woman playing piano and singing. All take place in posh drawing room with 7 other bemused spectators all standing.
Cover II
JONES' MUSICAL PARTY
A
SONG OF SONGS
BY
HARRY CLIFTON
AND SUNG BY HIM AT HIS POPULAR CONCERTS
IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
LONDON, HOPWOOD & CREW
42 New Bond Street W
Litho a poor imitation of the above but in colour and signed by Maguire. Clifton's figure stands out much more in a black suit with the background more faded. There is les detail in this litho than the other.
Both of these are cover only.
The score is from a Metzler edition
Other info gleaned from various sources.
Hopwood & Crew serial H & C 1117
Metzler serial M 3890
Written and sung by HC, arranged by M(artin) Hobson.
Copies in OLIS Bodleian, Harding Mus. R656/R657 dated 1867
Broadside By Glasgow Poet's Box dated 1867
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