The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-13
MUSIC Halls OF 20 YEARS AGO.
Songs That Attracted without Aid Of
scenery or Costumes.


In the palmy days Of music halls there
was no curtain, not the barest suggestion
of scenery, scarcely a platform. The
music hall forty years ago was a much
simpler, homelier place. Space did not
matter; you sat about at tables n drank
at your ease from pewter pots, as fashion
then demanded. II was q great honor
to drink with the chairman the presi-
dent of the assembly, ar honor to which
only a regular guest could aspire. The
performers did not rush on for o stum'
at a flicker Of a number dial, but were an
nounced with solemn majesty by the auto
cratic chairman, after he had raped for
silence with his mallet. 1t was more OF a
friendly smoking room concert than a
show. says the London Daily Mail. Our
music hall is becoming o~vercivillzed, and
loses Its grip.
At the old Canterbury the performers
all used to line up on the platform and
sing a rafting opening chorus. while the
audience applauded with pewters and
sticks and boots with unrestrained ardor.
1t was the same sort OF thing as the Christy
minstrels, and the comic man used to take
the side, Just as the corner man.
Makeup was scarcely ever attempted.
A song stood or fell on its own merits and
he'skil Of the singer. The great Vance,
who introduced the showling SWELL to
the halls, used to swagger about the plat
form, dropping silk handkerchief to show
his illimitable wealth. The comic man
would year a little bijou hat on the back
Of his head, but that was all. The i'm
over, in the sSreat' Vanoe was rather
damped when his little page followed him
picking up the priceless .handkerohiefs.
There was no drop curtain then.
How many songs OF the last ten years
can one recall2 There are very few, and
those are perhaps the most stupid. But
the comic songs OF twenty years ago have
almost taken a place in the language; Some
Of them are household words. Who has
not heard Of Frederick Bowyer's:
They're all very nne and large.
They're fat. they're sound and prime,
II you fancy you can beat en-,
II will take you all your time.
They're tho widest In creation,
And / make no extra charge.
Now, who'll have a chance for Q dozen or two.
They're all very hne and Target
The encore verse is the old, old landlady
chestnut, but funny still; :,
thought I'd 20 70 Margato once
For rest. and change OF air.
But, Obi lost some pounds Of nesh
The few days ! was there.
couldn't get q wink Of sleep.
sha'n't forget that bed.
The iandlAdy said; do you like the roomsI"
I paid my bill and said:
They're all very nne and large" &C.
Another classic that is scarcely dead yet
is up ! Came With My Little Lot. Indeed
fclat. When sthe handy men" marched
their Long Tom up to Ladysmith and got
IL into position, this is what they sang
Capt. SCOTT will not deny the fact):
Up ! came with my little lot,
The air turned blue for miles
The scene Is a swearing match at a beam
feast In Epping Forest
The trees oil shook,
The bobby took his hook,
And down came all the tiles,
The donkey he began 10 bray
IA II his heart would break.
And even Dick Dunn went and told every one
That my lot took the cake.
But the early days Of the music hall were
not m~onopolized by the comic song. Senti-
ment also had a ~turn-orude, simple senti-
ment perhaps, but quite as palatable as a
mavnifoentty staged hijou melodrama.
Mr.. Rowyer's Il Stood on the Bridge at
Midnight In an instance.
Next q form approaches al hating pace,
Grief had hiled TO shAttcr the beauty OF her face;
Promises and falsehoods fondiy she believed.
Now her dream 10 ended, forsaken and deceived.
silently 10 Heaven she oners up q prayer.
Gazes at the river. then shudders In despair:
Clutching some love token In her withered hands.
Like an appantion, on the brink she stands.
why did he forsake met
Him | loved so well,
Hhrkl the bell 10 toling.
Bidding earth farewell"
Frantioally her hands high
In the air she throws.
sigh. o leap. a scream. It's donsi
As DER the bridge she goes.
II reads a little sloppy, perhaps, but
Charles Godfrey could make people shudder
and sob when he sang IL.
One Of the firet halls was the New Music
Hall In Hungerford Market. There you
heard a wonderful collection Of the English
ballads such as to-day you might chance
to hear at the Queens Hall. Younger
readers may think y strange that half Q