Will Godwin ( 1859-1913) was a successful songwriter and performer. He wrote songs for Leo Dryden, George Bastow, Vesta Victoria, Charles Chaplin Snr and many others. As a performer he was known as both a singer and sketch performer.
His professional debut was as a comedian at the Museum Concert Hall in Birmingham in April 1879 and he continued to perform regularly until 1911 when he left with his family for a tour of India where first his wife and then he fell ill, eventually dying in 1913.
His sometimes melodramatic songs and sketches could involve multiple performers and often addressed patriotic themes. His productions could be quite complex and in the early 20th century he was one of the first to incorporate moving pictures into his act. This review of a performance at the Royal Albert, Canning Town gives a flavour of his style:
A musical sketch entitled The Wanderer in Dreamland is being played here this week by Mr Will Godwin and company… The principal character falls asleep and has a vivid dream. In a distant land he and two or three companions have a series of adventures, but at last the wanderer finds himself home again in Merry England. Mr Will Godwin who impersonates Jack Sterling, the leading part, sings several songs very effectively including Mothers Letter and Follow the Flag with chorus… About 30 local children take part in a village scene and besides joining in the choruses impart brightness to the picture
The Era, 17 July 1897
Godwin’s two biggest hits: The Miners Dream of Home and If Those Lips could only Speak have often been performed by traditional singers, but there were others. The list of his songs which have entered the traditional repertoire include:
- Glorious Beer (sung by Harry Anderson)
- If those lips could only speak (sung by Godwin)
- The miner’s dream of home (sung by Leo Dryden)
- Pull, boys, together (sung by Leo Dryden)
- Wire in, my lads (sung by George Bastow)
The attached spreadsheet gives a reasonably complete list of songs published by Godwin though I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some more knocking about.
Sources
Barry Antony (2012) Chaplin’s Music Hall
Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: April 20, 2023
