Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )

Subject: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 01:18 PM

Lyr. Add: BONNY ELOISE (BELLE OF MOHAWK VALLEY)
Words George W. Elliot; Music John Rogers Thomas, 1858

1
O, sweet is the Vale where the Mohawk gently glides
On its clear winding way to the sea,
And dearer than all storied streams on earth besides,
Is this bright rolling river to me;

Refrain-
But sweeter, dearer, yes dearer far than those
Who charm where others all fail
Is blue eyed, bonny, bonny Eloise,
The Bell of the Mohawk Vale.

Optional chorus- after each verse-
But sweeter, dearer, yes dearer far than those
Who charm where others all fail
Is blue eyed, bonny, bonny Eloise,
The Bell of the Mohawk Vale.

2
O, sweet are the scenes of my boyhood's sunny years,
That bespangle the gay valley o'er,
And dear are the friends seen thro' memories fond tears
That have lived in the blest days of yore;

3
O, sweet are the moments when dreaming I roam,
Thro' my loved haunts now mossy and grey,
And dearer than all is my childhood's hallow'd home,
That is crumbling now slowly away;

The melody was used for two or more Civil War ballads; "Our Own Starry Banner!," and "The Heroes of '62," the latter by H. C. Brick.

Sheet music at Levy, William Hall & Son, NY.
American Memory has sheet music printed in 1862 by Blackman and Bro., Augusta, GA.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 01:27 PM

The version in the DT Lyrics is incomplete.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 03:08 PM

Lyr. Add: OUR OWN STARRY BANNER!
Air- Bonny Eloise

At the call of Columbia, I sprang into the ranks,
With my comrades, so gallant and gay,
And our hearts beat with hope, to deserve our Country's thanks,
As we harkened, that call to obey.

Refrain-
O! sweeter- dearer, than aught else to me,
Our own Starry Banner, behold:
'Tis the brightest- truest- Flag of Liberty,
The pride of a Nation bold.

2
I have parted with father, I've left my mother dear,
And the loved ones, that cluster at home,
And the maiden- whose bright eyes besought me not to fear,
In the moment of danger and gloom.
3
On the cold wintry march,- in the summer's burning heat,
I have suffered with faith as my guide;
And the ball of the foe, when I paced my lonely beat,
Has whistled, unfeared, by my side.
4
When the cannon's loud *road, and the flashing bayonet, *roar?
Told the havoc of battle was there,
Through the smoke of the contest, my anxious gaze was met
By our flag, as it waved on the air.
5
Soon the foe's deadly hail, sent me wounded to the ground,
Where my comrades lay thick in their gore;
But we cheered through our pain, at the soul-inspiring sound,
Our flag- 'tis victorious once more!
6
I feel I am dying,- yet do not repine;
I have fought for my flag ever dear,-
And I pray that its folds, in their beauty may entwine
The form of the dead Volunteer!

Song sheet, n. d., no author or printer.
American Memory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 08:39 PM

Thanks, Q. You got me looking at images of the Mohawk River, which I've never thought of as real before.

Are you interested in the tune? I could make a MIDI of it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 09:56 PM

Hi, leeneia!
In DT lyrics, a brief musical score, and midi, are given.

On youtube, lifted from a radio program, The Sons of the Pioneers sing "Belle of the Mohawk Vale."

I must apologise for putting "Valley" rather than "Vale" in the title.
Thinking of that other song---

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: JJ
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 08:10 AM

Whose recording of this would I have heard on the radio, c. 1960, with a final verse that went something like:

Bless my Mary, my Kate, bless my Cindy and my Sue
They've been laughing and loving and kind
May they all be forgiven when spring comes to the Vale
And I take Eloise for my bride

In my mind, it is sung by a men's chorus...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonny Eloise (Belle of Mohawk Valley )
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 09:54 AM

I listened to the Sons of the Pioneers on YouTube. They do a beautiful job. You're right about the DT, Q. I forgot to check it for the tune.