Subject: Lyr Add: FOLLY AND FASHION (John LaBern)
From:
Artful Codger
Date: 31 May 10 - 10:08 PM
A music hall song performed by Harry Clifton and Fanny Edwards.
FOLLY AND FASHION
of Mr. and Mrs Wright.
Comic Duett.
Sung by Miss Fanny Edwards and Mr. Harry Clifton
at his Popular Concerts &c. &c.
Written by Mr. John LaBern.
Arranged by M[artin]. Hobson.
Tempo: Allegretto non troppo.
Mr Wright.
Mrs Wright, Mrs Wright you'll ruin me quite,
All thro' your extravagant ways.
If you don't falter, and very soon alter,
A halter will sure end my days.
There's the Milliner and the dressmaker,
Keep sending their bills in each day.
I shall soon want an undertaker,
If you dress in this costly way.
My feelings I scarcely can smother
It's enough to make (don't think me rash)
A man make anoise and a bother,
To see how you're spending the cash.
Mrs Wright, Mrs Wright, you'll ruin me quite,
All thro' your extravagant ways.
If you don't falter, and very soon alter,
A halter will sure end my days.
Mrs Wright.
Mr Wright, Mr Wright, you astonish me quite,
I'd rather 'tis true live alone
Than be stinted in dress, 'tis strange I confess,
When my fortune you know is my own.
Mr Wright.
One would think we were rolling in riches,
I never can answer such calls
On my purse, why for one common coat,
You've had sixty bonnets and shawls.
Mrs Wright.
It's all very well as you say, Sir,
But as sure as I stand here alive
I'll not tarry with you a day, Sir,
If you're going to cut and contrive.
Together (He/She).
Mrs/Mr Wright, Mrs/Mr Wright, you'll ruin me quite
All thro' your extravagant/obstinate ways
If you don't falter, and very soon alter,
A halter will soon end my days.
Mrs Wright.
Mr Wright, Mr Wright, you're as wrong as you're right,
There kindly for me please make way.
You may fly in a passion I'll dress in the fashion,
In spite of whatever you say.
Mr Wright.
Ah, Ma'am but I'll lock up the money.
Mrs Wright.
Do that, Mr Wright, as you may.
Mr Wright.
I think you'll look rather funny.
Mrs Wright.
When I send you some more bills to pay.
Mr Wright.
I shall go raving mad in a minute,
I wish that we'd never have met.
Mrs Wright.
Of course, but you shouldn't begin it;
Indeed, did I e'er do so yet.
Together.
Mrs/Mr Wright, Mrs/Mr Wright, you'll ruin me quite
All thro' your extravagant/obstinate ways
If you don't falter, and very soon alter,
A halter will soon end my days.
Mr Wright, cunningly
Mrs Wright, Mrs Wright, how happy we might
Both live, if you'd mind what I say.
Like two little Cupids,
Mrs Wright.
Instead of two stupids,
But you think the opposite way.
Mr Wright.
I was always for peace and for quiet
Mrs Wright.
You were always the first to begin.
Mr Wright.
You were always the first one to riot,
Mrs Wright.
And you, Sir, the last to give in.
SPOKEN—
Mr Wright. I beg your pardon, Mrs W?
Mrs Wright. Don't double me, Sir!
Mr Wright. No you were trying to give me the double just now!
Mrs Wright. Serve you right you don't know how to treat a lady!
Mr Wright. That's ture, I've made an Idiot of you!
Mrs Wright. Indeed. Where will you find a wife with a temper like mine?
Mr Wright. No where, I hope.
Mrs Wright. So gentle, so calm.
Mr Wright. Yes, as the Bay of Biscay oh!
Mrs Wright. Never in a passion, always one temperature, so cool.
Mr Wright. Oh! yes a nice level temper, no sooner out of one passion than in another.
Mrs Wright. So accomplished!
Mr Wright. Ah! I'll own you were a clever girl once, but now you've grown entirely out of knowledge.
Mrs Wright. Indeed. Mr Clever, if the tax was taken off Knowledge and put on Ignorance you'd have a very heavy tax to pay.
Mr Wright. Bravo! That's a smart reply for you, for that. The dress—bonnet—aye all shall be yours, upon one condition. That is you will allow me to do as I like with the money for the next six months.
Mrs Wright. Make it three and I'm agreeable.
Mr Wright. Well you were always a good hand at striking a hard bargain,
But agreed, signed, sealed, and delivered—
Together.
Mrs/Mr Wright, Mrs/Mr Wright, we'll be happy quite
And drop our extravagant ways
And live here in quiet, never more riot,
But peaceful the rest of our days.
Source: Sheet music published by Hopwood and Crew, 1867, serial number 1258
Notes by Steve Gardham:H&C version
Cover
FOLLY AND FASHION
OR
MR. AND MRS. WRIGHT
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.
Maguire litho, magnolia monotint of FE & HC as Mr & Mrs Wright in a posh drawing room. he is looking sternly at her whilst pointing to household bills on a small table between them. She with hands folded is looking back at him unperturbed.
Inside
FOLLY AND FASHION
or
MR. AND MRS WRIGHT
COMIC DUETT.
Sung by Miss FANNY EDWARDS and Mr HARRY CLIFTON
At his Popular Concerts &c. &c.
Written by John Labern. Arranged by M. Hobson
Serial number H & C 1258
Cover only of Ashdown & Parry version
FOLLY AND FASHION
OR
MR. AND MRS. WRIGHT
SUNG BY
MISS FANNY EDWARDS AND MR. HARRY CLIFTON,
AT HIS
POPULAR CONCERTS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
London;
ASHDOWN & PARRY, HANOVER SQUARE.
Unsigned monotint litho which is a redrawn version of Maguire's litho with the usual minor differences other than HC looks slightly younger and less stern and FE looks to have her lips pursed.
Dating: The Era (sent in by Sminky) dates it at 1867
No known broadsides or survivals into the 20th century.
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