Lyr Req: Riding on a Load of Hay (Arden, Birch)

Subject: Someone stole my heart away
From: SRD
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 09:43 AM

My maternal grandmother (from Sussex), and my mother, used to sing a song with the lyrics:
Someone stole my heart away
Riding on a load of hay
I looked up and he looked down
Smiling sweetly Jimmy Brown.

Does anyone know the source, the rest of the lyrics or any other info?

Subject: RE: Someone stole my heart away
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 10:09 AM

'Riding on a Load of Hay': music by Harry Birch, words by Hope Arden. Sheet music of 1880 can be seen at American Memory: Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music:

Riding on a Load of Hay

Two earlier copies (1871) are at the Lester Levy Collection.

Subject: RE: Someone stole my heart away
From: SRD
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 11:27 AM

Thanks.

Subject: Lyr Req: RIDING ON A LOAD OF HAY (Arden, Birch)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 03:24 PM

Here's my transcription from the sheet music at the Levy site:


RIDING ON A LOAD OF HAY
Words, Hope Arden. Music, Harry Birch.
Boston: White, Smith & Perry, 1871.

1. O! someone stole my heart away,
Riding on a load of hay.
I look'd up and he look'd down,
Handsome, sunburnt Johnny Brown.
"Have a lift," he cried to me,
While his eyes danced merrily.
"Yes, I thank you, sir," said I,
Nowise bashful in reply.

CHORUS: O! someone stole my heart away,
Riding on a load of hay.
I look'd up and he look'd down,
Handsome sunburnt Johnny Brown.

2. O! side by side we rode away,
Sitting in the fragrant hay.
Johnny said, "It's pleasant weather,"
Then we blush'd and laugh'd together.
Johnny whisper'd then, said he:
"Will you ride again with me?"
What I said I shall not tell,
But Johnny liked my answer well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Riding on a Load of Hay (Arden, Birch)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jul 12 - 05:38 PM

My grandmother used to sing this song to her husband, which at the end she would substitute her husbalnd's name in place of Johhny Brown. As I remember, there is a third verse. Any chance you could locate it?

THanks.

Doug
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Riding on a Load of Hay (Arden, Birch)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 25 Jul 12 - 07:32 AM

The two copies at American Memory are also just 2 verses.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Riding on a Load of Hay (Arden, Birch)
From: GUEST,Gina brown
Date: 23 Oct 16 - 09:19 AM

I have some original manuscripts of the whole thing. Get in touch if you would like to see them x