WORLD-FAMOUS SONG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 9 (Supplement)

WORLD-FAMOUS SONG

" ORIGIN OF TIPPERARY " '} Some discussion has taken place in English newspapers concerning tho identity of tho composer of the song " Tipperary." The following letter from Mr. Cecil Neale, a schoolmaster of Coventry, to the Observer is substantial evidence: — " Living in the district, 1 pass frequently Ye Olde Plough Inn at Meer End, Temple Balsq.ll, not far from Kenilworth. On a brass tablet, framed in oak, on the front wall of this small wayside inn, is inscribed, ' In Remembrance of Harry Williams, of Tipperary Fame. The World's Famous Song, which helped to save Old England.' The landlord of" the inn is Benjamin Thomas Williams, a near relative of Harry Williams." Mr. Trevelyan Hayler writes corroborating this 'in part. He says:—" The authorship of ' Tipperary ' was divided as follows: Jack Judge, who earned his livinf by singing, had the inspiration for it, and brought it to Henry James Williams, who had composed several songs. Tho two worked 011 it together, and Jack Judge sang it before it was published. It caught on after being sung by Miss Florrie Forde in the We of Man on July 21, 1913, and the troops made it famous and world-wide. Henry J. Williams was a native of Balsall, which lies between Warwick and Birmingham, and died at Coventry on .February 21, 1924. His grave in the local cemetery is marked with a marble stone, which states: Author of "It's a Long Way to Give me the making, of the son„a 01 nation. And let who will make its laws.