The Flying Trapeze (1868)

A comic waltz song from the London music hall. Words and music by George Leybourne. Arranged by Alfred Lee. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. sung by sheet music singer, Fred Feild piano according to the sheet music 1. Once I was happy, but now I’m forlorn Like an old coat, that is tattered and torn Left on this wide world to fret and to mourn Betrayed by a maid in her teens The girl that I loved, she was handsome I tried all I knew, her to please But I could not please her one quarter so well Like that man upon the Trapeze Chorus: He’d fly thro’ the air with the greatest of ease A daring young man on the flying Trapeze His movements were graceful, all girls he could please And my love he purloined away 2. This young man by name was “Signor Bona Slang“ Tall, big, and handsome as well made as Chang Where’er he appeared, the hall loudly rang With ovation from all people there He’d smile from the bar on the people below And one night he smiled on my love She winked back at him, and she shouted “Bravo!“ As he hung by his nose up above 3. Her father and mother were both on my side And very hard tried to make her my own bride Her father he sighed, and her mother she cried To see her throw herself away ’Twas all no avail, she went there every night And would throw him boquets on the stage Which caused him to meet her, how he ran me down To tell you would take a whole page 4. One night I as ususal, went to her dear home Found there her father and mother alone I asked for my love, and soon they made known To my horror that she’d run away She’d packed up her box, and eloped in the night With him with the greatest of ease From two stories high, he had lowered her down To the ground on his flying Trapeze 5. Some months after this I went to a Hall Was greatly surprised to see on the wall A bill in red letters, which did my heart gall That she was appearing with him He taught her gymnastics, and dressed her in tights To help him to live at his ease And made her assume a masculine name And now she goes on the Trapeze Chorus: She floats through the air with the greatest of ease You’d think her a man on the flying Trapeze She does all the work, while he takes his ease And that’s what’s become of my love This charming song is an old favorite. It was probably written and composed by Alfred Lee. It was made famous by Joe Saunders (stage name George Leybourne), a mechanic and singer from the midlands of England. He sang it in the London music hall. It has a four-part harmony chorus. ---------------------------------------------------- Get the sheet music and MIDI at: