DIBDIN's SELECTED SONGS.
A COLLECTION OF SONGS, SELECTED FROM THE WORKS OF Mr. DIBDIN.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR: AND SOLD BY HIM AT HIS WAREHOUSE, NO. 411, STRAND, OPPOSITE THE ADELPHI.
DEDICATION. TO WILLIAM DAVIS, ESQ.
If ever dedication had a legitimate motive, this has.
The recollection of a friend's having witnessed the first dawnings of my poetical and musical ideas—his kind partiality to them—his friendship and liberality in promoting a scheme for my benefit—his handsome conduct in forgetting that, at the instigation of unprincipled men, I believed him to have been unfaithful to his promises: In fine, the variety of instances in which he has proved himself such a friend as no man but myself could ever boast of:—
[Page ii] These not only point out the most perfect propriety in my making an acknowledgment of my obligations, but would also mark me as very unworthy of them if I neglected to seize so becoming an opportunity of inviting the public to bear testimony to my high sense of such kindness.
You, Sir, are the friend thus described. The facts I have spoken of exist. And, as I slatter myself you will allow that ingratitude makes no part of my disposition, it cannot surprize you that I endeavour to do you common justice.
So well, however, do I know you, that you will wonder I should conceive it necessary to mention those kindnesses as a favour which you conferred for your own gratification.
I beg leave, nevertheless, to be excused if I put in my claim for a little gratification too; for, as nothing ever gave me more pleasure than this proper address—the spirit of which, I beg leave to assure you, is us pure [Page iii] as honour, and the letter as sincere as truth—so I know nothing that could have been a severer mortification to me than to have been prevented from the satisfaction of thus telling you how truly
PREFACE.
So many opinions have been hazarded, by cavillers, on the subject of the following songs, that it would be almost a tacit acquiescence in the folly, ignorance, and absurdity of such opinions, were I to do myself and the public so much injustice as to let this opportunity pass without giving them their merited notice.
Were I disposed to pleasantry, I might say with my Irishman, that ‘"the proper notice would be no notice at all:"’—and, indeed, were it not for the sake of simple truth and common justice, such calumniators might as well pass unregarded; for envy is as natural to dunces as hunger, and what should they seek to satisfy but the cravings of their appetites?
As, however, there is something seriously material in attending to whatever in the slightest degree regards the public, I shall go a little into this business, [Page ii] if it be only to shew how tiny and ineffectual are the yelpings of these literary curs, who, like true mongrels, never open but to do mischief.
It is remarkable that, throughout my whole public career, I have been nibbled at the heel by these mongrels of the muses, these slinking snarlers, who, the reverse of the dogs that guarded the fane of Diana, fawn upon vice, and cherish every thing but virtue.
When I composed the music of the Padlock, the cry was that I employed some Italian, for fifty pounds, to do that of which I was incapable. I smiled with contempt at the rumour, and the public very soon did me justice.
After this I had the temerity to write for myself. The villany of such an action was unpardonable; and it was immediately resolved to brand me with an aspersion as false as it was invidious. Here I was obliged to assert my claim to a public hearing; and the consequence was, the town chose to allow that I [Page iii] had as much right as any other person to the privileges of a subject, and the feelings of a man.
This terrible disappointment to the snarlers awed them into a kind of sulky growl, which has never since broke out but very partially; and as petulance and soreness generally interpret every thing the wrong way, and defeat their own ends, so the malignity of their sarcasms have not been more remarkable than their folly. They have attributed my sea songs to men who knew no more of nautical terms than an English sailor does of art or hypocrisy; they have made more blunders in detecting my Irish songs than the songs contain themselves; and in the investigation of my hunting songs they have been perpetually at fault.
A friend of mine, one evening, dropt in at a coffee-house where a number of these literary jurymen were holding an inquest over my murdered reputation.—He humoured the jest, and, before he had finished, proved, to the satisfaction of every one present, that [Page iv] Poor Jack was a posthumous work of Dr. Johnson, that the Race Horse was written by the jockey who rode the famous Flying Childers, and that Blow high Blow low was the production of Admiral Keppel, who dictated the words to his secretary as he lay in his cot, after the memorable battle of the twenty-seventh of July, waiting for the French to try their force with him handsomely the next morning.
But the mischief of it is, these poor devils cannot discern that all they do to injure me gives me real consequence. The public are always sure to take up a man at whom the shafts of rancour are levelled.—If his efforts be nothing more than inoffensive, he is secure of protection in favour of his intentions; if meritorious, they know too well their own dignity not to rank him according to his deserts.
To that public I would make a solemn declaration that I am the sole author of every thing this book contains, but that they too well know the hue of truth [Page v] to need an elucidation of it by any light I can place it in.
As however I do not wish to crush this vermin—on the contrary, I would have them crawl and nibble, for vermin are as necessary in the system of literature as in the system of the creation—I am willing to allow that there are plenty of faults in this work.
Yet, lest such reptiles should extend any fang with pleasure at these delicious tidings, I must insist that I could very often have written better had it not been for musical necessity, which, in some instances, precludes nerve, and, in others, requires it, when the reverse would probably have made the poetry read better.
All these considerations are very safe with the public at large, to whom I never can address myself without confessing more incapacity of expression than is attributed to me by the sourness of my heart-burnt enemies.
[Page vi] To these poor creatures, did I wish their deserts, I should be more cruel and injurious than they have it in their power to be to me.
[Page] DIBDIN's SELECTED SONGS.
SONG.
IN THE WEDDING RING.
THE MILLER's DAUGHTER.
IN THE DESERTER.
SONG.
IN THE WATERMAN.
BALLAD.
IN THE WATERMAN.
BALLAD.
IN THE WATERMAN.
BALLAD.
IN THE WATERMAN.
BALLAD.
IN THE COBLER.
BALLAD.
IN THE SERAGLIO.
RONDEAU.
IN THE SERAGLIO.
BALLAD.
IN THE SERAGLIO.
RONDEAU.
IN THE SERAGLIO.
SONG.
IN POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN POOR VULCAN.
DUET.
INTENDED FOR POOR VULCAN.
BALLAD.
IN THE QUAKER.
SONG.
IN THE QUAKER.
BALLAD.
IN THE QUAKER.
RONDEAU.
IN THE QUAKER.
BALLAD.
IN ROSE AND COLIN.
BALLAD.
IN ROSE AND COLIN.
BALLAD.
IN ROSE AND COLIN.
BALLAD.
IN ROSE AND COLIN.
BALLAD.
IN ANNETTE AND LUBIN.
DUET.
IN ANNETTE & LUBIN.
DUET.
IN ANNETTE & LUBIN.
BALLAD.
IN ANNETTE & LUBIN.
BALLAD.
IN ANNETTE & LUBIN.
BALLAD.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
RONDEAU.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
BALLAD.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
SONG.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
BALLAD.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
SONG.
IN THE CHELSEA PENSIONER.
BALLAD.
IN THE FRIENDLY TARS.
BALLAD.
IN THE FRIENDLY TARS.
BALLAD.
IN THE FRIENDLY TARS.
BALLAD.
IN THE FRIENDLY TARS.
BALLAD.
IN THE OLD WOMAN OF EIGHTY.
BALLAD.
IN THE OLD WOMAN OF EIGHTY.
BALLAD.
IN THE TOUCHSTONE.
SONG.
IN THE TOUCHSTONE.
BALLAD.
IN THE TOUCHSTONE.
BALLAD.
IN THE WIVES' REVENGE.
GLEE.
IN THE WIVES' REVENGE.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
SONG.
IN THE TOUCHSTONE.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
RONDEAU.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
BALLAD.
IN THE SHEPERDESS OF THE ALPS.
BALLAD.
IN HARLEQUIN FREE-MASON.
BALLAD.
IN HARLEQUIN FREE-MASON.
BALLAD.
IN HARLEQUIN FREE-MASON.
BALLAD.
IN HARLEQUIN FREE-MASON.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
SONG.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
SONG.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
IN THE ISLANDERS.
BALLAD.
INTENDED FOR THE QUAKER.
BALLAD.
IN THE MISCHANCE.
BALLAD.
IN PANDORA.
BALLAD.
IN PANDORA.
BALLAD.
IN THE REASONABLE ANIMALS.
BALLAD.
IN THE REASONABLE ANIMALS.
BALLAD.
IN THE REASONABLE ANIMALS.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
SONG.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
GLEE.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN LIBERTY-HALL.
BALLAD.
IN THE BENEVOLENT TAR.
BALLAD.
IN THE BENEVOLENT TAR.
BALLAD.
IN THE BENEVOLENT TAR.
BALLAD.
IN THE MILK-MAID.
BALLAD.
IN HARVEST HOME.
BALLAD.
IN CLUMP AND CUDDEN.
BALLAD.
IN TOM THUMB.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
GLEE.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
IN CLUMP AND CUDDEN.
BALLAD.
IN CLUMP AND CUDDEN.
DUET.
IN CLUMP AND CUDDEN.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
IN TOM THUMB.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
RONDEAU.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
SONG.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE BY-STANDER.
BALLAD.
IN THE GRACES.
BALLAD.
IN THE GRACES.
BALLAD.
IN THE HONEST IMPOSTOR.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
GLEE.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
CATCH.
IN THE BY-STANDER.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
SONG.
IN THE ODDITIES.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
IN THE WHIM OF THE MOMENT.
BALLAD.
BALLAD.
IN THE ODDITIES.
INDEX.
- AND did you not hear of a jolly young waterman? Page. 5
- A kernel from an apple's core, 26
- A plague take all such grumbling elves, 37
- Ah men what silly things you are, 66
- At a jovial meeting of gods, 72
- A bed of moss, 80
- A sailor's love is void of art, 106
- As Dermot toil'd one summer's day, 108
- A Tinker I am, 134
- Art one of those mad wags, 136
- A novice in love, 138
- At first, like an infant, 168
- Alas! where shall I comfort sind? 191
- All the World's a Masquerade. 209
- Blow high, Blow low. 11
- Brother soldiers, why cast down? 39
- By love and fortune guided, 62
- Bright Gems. 67
- By rogu'ry, 'tis true, 88
- Bonny Kitty. 127
- Behold the fairies jocund band! 130
- Bachelor's Hall. 183
- [Page ii]Bonny Kate. Page 194
- Ben Backstay. 198
- Black and White. 217
- Come all ye gem'men volunteers, 18
- Come, every man now give his toast. 19
- Can of Grog. 47
- Come here ye rich. 52
- Curtis was old Hodge's wife, 58
- Come, courage lads, and drink away. 81
- Chairs to mend. 133
- Come round me and weep, 175
- Crown me Bacchus, 203
- Colin and Chloe. 220
- Cotchelin sat all alone. 228
- Did fortune bid me chuse a state, 75
- Dear Yanko say, 211
- Excuse me, pray ye do, dear neighbour, 32
- For dainties, I've had of them all, 90
- Fait honey in Ireland 118
- Gratitude. 214
- [Page iii]Hunting song in Poor Vulcan. Page 16
- Here's all her geer, 29
- How kind and how good of his dear majesty, 54
- Here sleeps in peace, 68
- Here I was my good masters, 73
- Homer and I. 164
- Here lies a philosopher, 181
- How much I love thee girl would'st know? 192
- I saw what seem'd a harmless child, 1
- Indeed Miss such sweethearts as I am 7
- I lock'd up all my treasure, 24
- I lost my poor mother, 28
- If deep thy poignard 41
- John and Jean. 42
- If 'tis love to wish you near, 50
- In all your dealings take good care 69
- I'll mount the cliffs, 77
- Is't my story you'd know? 91
- Jack Ratlin. 96
- Is it little Tom Thumb that you main? 111
- I don't believe a word on't. 113
- I've made to marches Mars descend, 125
- In Paris as in London, 129
- Indian Battle. 163
- Irish Drinking Song. 205
- I was, d'ye see, a waterman, 226
- [Page iv]Let your courage boys be true t' ye, Page 46
- Little Neddy, 196
- Little Ben, 201
- Madam, you know my trade is war 21
- My Lord, and please you, he and I 38
- My tears—alas! I cannot speak 64
- Marriage and Music. 190
- Mock Italian Song. 215
- Nothing like Grog. 102
- Nosegays I cry, 141
- Orra no talk, no say fine word, 78
- O think on the time, 83
- Oh he de nos! 92
- Parents may fairly thank themselves, 55
- Poor Orra tink of Yanko dear, 79
- Passion is a torrent rude, 80
- Pleasure the result of reflection. 148
- Poor Jack. 153
- Peggy Perkings. 185
- Poor Tom. 230
- [Page v]Sweet ditties would my Patty sing, Page 107
- Spirits of Distress, 114
- Say Fanny wilt thou go with me, 139
- Say flutt'ring heart, 169
- Saturday Night at Sea. 187
- The Miller's Daughter. 2
- Two youths for my love 4
- Then farewel my trim-built wherry, 6
- 'Twas in a village near Castlebury 8
- The world's a strange world, 10
- The little birds as well as you, 12
- The signal to engage shall be, 13
- That nature is every where the same, 15
- There was a jolly shepherd lad, 30
- They tell me you listen to all 34
- 'Tis true that oft in the same mead 36
- 'Twas not her eyes, 45
- This life is like a troubled sea, 56
- The rising sun Lysander found, 63
- The coy Pastora Damon woo'd 65
- The sun's a free-mason, 70
- The ladies' faces now a-days 74
- Thou'st heard those old proverbs, 82
- The high-mettled Racer, 99
- The bells of Aberdovey, 101
- This, this my lad's a soldier's life, 110
- [Page vi]The Maid of the Skylight Page 115
- The Musician's Lamentation 119
- The Siege of Troy 120
- The Return of Ulysses 122
- Thou man of firmness 128
- The younker who his first essay 142
- The mellow-ton'd horn, 146
- The Lassy of my heart, 150
- The Soldier's Grave 151
- The Triumph of Wine 155
- The Sailor's Sheet Anchor, 158
- The Voice of Nature. 159
- The Jolly Fisherman 161
- The By-stander 166
- That girl who fain would chuse a mate, 170
- The Greenwich Pensioner 171
- The Wily Fox 173
- Tis true the marks of many years 176
- The Portrait 177
- The Flowing Can 179
- The Invitation 182
- Taffy and Griddy, 200
- The Tar for all Weathers 207
- The Lamplighter 212
- The Lady of Ton 224
- Venus now no more behold me, 14
- [Page vii]Vauxhall Watch Page 57
- When Serjeant Belswagger 22
- Women are Will o' th' Wisps 25
- While the Lads in the Village 27
- When thou shalt see his bosom 44
- When jealous out of season, 61
- When Yanko dear fight far away, 76
- What naughty things we women are, 85
- What a pity 'twill be 86
- When faintly gleams, 93
- Who to my wounds a balm advises, 95
- What if my pleasures fools condemn, 97
- When fairies are lighted, 98
- What argufies pride and ambition? 104
- We on the present hour relying, 124
- When in order drawn up, 137
- Wives and Sweethearts 143
- What thof I be a country clown, 222
- Young, and void of art or guile, 33
- Yo Yea, 48
- Yet though I've no fortune to offer, 51
- Young Paris was blest 60