The Apology

Subject: The Apology
From: bradfordian
Date: 30 Nov 21 - 06:02 AM

The Apology (singing version) (O Say; The Apology for Singing)

The following notes are by Steve Woodbury who performed the song at the 2021 fsgw getaway

vv 1, 3-5: manuscript sent by Reuben Waitstell Phillips, Akeley MN, to R. W. Gordon, 1924
v 2 & refrain: William Valentine, A Budget of Wit and Humour; Or, Morsels of Mirth for the Melancholy: A Certain Cure for ‘The Blues,’ and All Other Serious Complaints ...?, 1849 (pp 157-158)   (Googlebooks)

can be sung to the tune of Fathom the Bowl

To sing a good song is a difficult task,
    Few will perform it, though many we ask.                                 
I’ve not a good voice, you’ve heard better before,
    But I sing when you ask me – pray who could do more?
Pray who could do more? Pray who could do more?
I sing when you ask me, pray who could do more?

Your flats and your sharps I know nothing about;
    Your laughing and jeering it quite puts me out;
I hate and detest it, for fear of renown;
    So I’ll sing as I like with a down derry down.                                |
        Down derry down, &c

Such coaxing and teasing as some people want!
    It is, “Pray, Miss,” “O do, sir,” “Indeed sir, I can’t.”                        |
With modest excuses they’ll finally reply,
    “Catalina* herself can’t sing better than I.”
Sing better than I, &c.

Such wretched excuses as some people make:
    That they have a bad cold, or a shocking headache.                        |
Never sang in their life, or are monstrously hoarse,
    Which between you and I, are mere words of discourse.
Mere words of discourse, &c.

My song is most ended, as such singing ought.
    If it is not well sung, it is not my fault.
Before that you censure, pray think of the price:
    I sang it without your asking me twice!
Your asking me twice, &c

*Angelica Catalani (1780–1849) Italian Opera singer


Research notes from Steve Woodbury
If you turn up any other interesting examples or references,
please let me know at [e-mail]

The Apology

William Valentine, A Budget of Wit and Humour; Or, Morsels of Mirth for the Melancholy: A Certain Cure for ‘The Blues,’ and All Other Serious Complaints ...? 1849 (p 157-158)   (Googlebooks)
       also at: https://archive.org/details/abudgetwitandhu00valegoog

To sing a good song is a difficult task.
Which few can perform, though numbers you ask;
My voice is not good, you’ve heard better before,
But I sing when you ask me, pray who can do more?
(Chorus) -- Who can do more? who can do more?
I sing when you ask me, pray who can do more?

Your flats and your sharps I know nothing about;
Your laughing and jeering it quite puts me out;
I hate and detest it, for fear of renown,
So we’ll beat up Sir Cossack with down derry down.
        Down derry down, &c

Such coaxing and teasing as some people want:
“Now do, Miss;” “Now pray, sir;” “Indeed sir, I can’t.”
With a modest assurance at last they comply,
Catalini* herself can’t sing better than I.                           [*Angelica Catalani (1780–1849) Italian Opera singer]
Sing better than I, &c.

Such woeful excuses as some people make:
That they’ve got a bad cold, or a shocking headache;
Or, ne’er sung in their lives, or monstrously hoarse:
Which between you and I, are mere words of discourse.
Words of discourse, &c.

My song is soon ended — as bad singers ought —
If I cannot sing better, it’s not my own fault;
But now, that I’ve sung it, remember the price,
I did without your asking me twice.
Your asking me twice, &c.

The Apology” is also found in
?        Dr. Valentine and Yankee Hill’s Metamorphoses: Being the Second Series of his “Comic Lectures”, New York, Garrett & Co., 1852, lists The Apology for Singing in Contents (p 157), but I was unable to find it
?        Dr. Valentine’s Comic Lectures, or, Morsels of Mirth for the Melancholy …   Dick & Fitzgerald, NY, n.d (188-?] pp 157-8 [Googlebooks

The words about “Sir Cossack” and derry derry down” in verse 2 appear to refer to the English defeating the Russians. But the term appears in Valentine’s 1849 book, preceding the Crimean War (1853-1856), so I don’t know whether they refer to any specific conflict, or song, or story.   Any further insights welcome!—SRW

10/12/16


Library of Congress transcript of manuscript sent by Reuben Waitstell Phillips, Akeley MN,
to R. W. Gordon in 1924. (Many thanks to Brian Miller in MN! Check out other songs from the
North Woods at his fine blog http://www.evergreentrad.com/northwoods-songs/ .)