Stories of Famous Songs, Vol 1

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STORIES OF
of George IV. he and the other senior students were commanded to attend the coronation of William IV. and Adelaide, and after this event Crouch was appointed gentleman of her Maj-esty Queen Adelaide's band. He now became principal violoncellist at Drury Lane Theatre, under the management of Stephen Price, of American fame, and here he wrote his first ballad, " Zephyrs of Love," for Miss Anna Tree, and " The Swiss Song of Meeting" for Madame Malibran. At this time he met John Howard Payne, the American actor and dramatist, whose memory is cherished for his authorship of " Home, Sweet Home." It was while visiting fair Devonshire that he received from Mrs. Crawford the poem of " Kathleen Mavourneen," which appeared anonymously in the " Metro-politan Magazine," for which she wrote. He then composed his exquisite music, a worthy setting to pathetic and graceful verse, his melody at once raising him to fame. Alas! " Kathleen Mavourneen," which should have brought its composer fortune as well as fame, was sold to a London music publisher for £10. Crouch's other work which still lives and is perennially popular, includes " O'DonnelPs Farewell," " The Emigrant's Lament," " Sing to Me, Nora," " The Exile of Erin/' " Sheila,
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