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AN HARMONIOUS QUARTET 197
as "Farewell in the Desert," "Your Dear Brown Eyes," and "Thora."
Of his sacred songs, among which are " Babylon," "The Star of Bethlehem," and "The Holy City," the last named is probably one of the most successful songs of its kind ever written, and enjoys the unusual distinction for an English ballad of having been published in a German version. Its popularity has been, and still is, extraordinary, and the music pirates, at the time when they were flourishing like the green bay tree, made it their own especial prey.
Fred. E. Weatherly, the last member of this quartet, may be said to hold an unique position in the song-writing world. As a lyric-writer of over forty years' standing he has enjoyed the friendship of almost all the popular composers of his day, and it would be difficult to estimate the number of successful songs of which he is the author. Obviously, therefore, I was to be counted lucky if, for the purposes of this book, I should be able to persuade him to give me the benefit of his reminiscences ; and it is owing to his kindness and courtesy that I am able to relate, as told to me in his own words, some of his interesting experiences.
"The first 'words for music' I wrote were written for my dear friend Joseph Roeckel, soon |
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