The Jolly Young Waterman.

Lake County Press, Issue 907, 19 April 1900, Page 7

The Jolly Young Waterman.

By Charles Dibdln. This old but ever popular song tras one of the many ballads and lyrics written and composed by Charles Dibdln, who was born at Southampton in 37-t.o. and died in London in ISI4. It is sun?? in the opera of “The Waterman, or the First of August,” by Tom Tug. In the same piece also occur the well-known songs, “I Rowed for a Prize” and “ Farewell, My Trim-built Wherry,” as well as the lesser-known, but still popular, ditty, “ Which is The Man ?” Dihdin was intended for the Church, but. having displayed remarkable precocity in musical and lyrical composition by the production of a highly successful opera—“ The Shepherd's Artifice"—at the age of 16, he adopted the stage as a profession. For many years he was an actor and acting manager at various theatres in London, and eventually he established himself at the old Surrey Theatre in Blackfriars-road, where he gave a series of entertainments, written, composed, and performed entirely by himself. George 111. was very fond of visiting this playhouse when it was under Dibdin’s management, and it was customary for the orchestra on such visits to play “Rule Britannia.” As soon as the last bar of this melody was played, it was the invariable rule of the King to thump his walking-cane upon the floor, and to declare with emphasis, “ No, by God ! and while I live, they never shall be slaves.” The poor old King was very fond of Dibdin, of his songs, and his singing, though this royal partiality did not greatly augment the singer’s fortune. After enjoying a Government pension of £2OO a year for a few years, this was withdrawn, and Dibdln received no further recognition from the State. He was a frugal, industrious man, hut he did not prosper very greatly. His plays, operas.' and stage pieces number upwards of two-score, while he wrote no less than 900 songs, some of great beauty tuid excellence. By some it Is said his songs number 1200, but this computation includes songs of lesserknown lyrists, which from their similarity have been ascribed to Dibdin.

And did you not hear of a jolly young waterman Who at Blackfriars Bridge used for to ply ? And he feather'd his oars with such skill and dexterity. Winning each heart and delighting each eye ; lie looked so neat and rowed so steadily, The maidens all flock'd in his boat so readily, And he eyed the young rogues with so charming an air That this waterman ne'er was In want of a fare.

What sights of fine folks he oft row'd in his wherry, Twas clean'd out so nice, and painted withal ; lie was always first oars when the fine city ladies In a party to Ra'nelagh went or Vauxhall. And oftentimes would they be giggling and leering, But 'twas all one to Tom, their gibing and jeering, For loving or liking he little did care, For this waterman ne'er was in want of a fare.

And yet but to see how .strangely things happen ; As he row'd along thinking of nothing at all,

He was ply'd by a damsel so lovely and charming, That she smil'd, and so straightway in love he did fall. And would this young lady but banish his sorrow, HeM wed her to-night before to-morrow. And how should this waterman ever know care, When he's married, and never in want of a fare.