| AKA | Just like the Ivy, I’ll cling to you |
| First Published | 1902 |
| Writer/composer | A.J. Mills & Harry Castling | Roud | RN16228 |
| Music Hall Performers | Marie Kendall |
| Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Cooper, Lena England : Kent : 1966 Baker, Arthur England : Hampshire : 1971 Green, Charles England : Yorkshire : 1971 Marsden, Stanley England : Yorkshire : 1972 Black, Freda England : Hampshire : 2012c Cronin, Elizabeth Ireland : Co. Cork : nd Modern performances Robin Williamson |
Grandad sat at evenfall 'Neath the dear old garden wall Where the ivy was clinging all around And a maiden young and fair With blue eyes and golden hair Was nestling there beside him on the ground "Some day you'll be leaving me For a sweetheart," the old man sighed "Some day be forgetting me" But with a smile the maid replied Just watch the ivy on that old garden wall Clinging so tightly, what e'er may befall As you grow older I'll be constant and true And just like the ivy, I'll cling to you. "When the ivy, years ago," Said the maiden, "Began to grow Then that wall supported it with pride Now the old wall's in decay And is crumbling fast away The ivy clings more tightly to it's side Loving you have ever been You have cared for me day by day Loving I shall ever be And always by your side I'll stay"
A sentimental and much loved song from the early 20th century, still remembered by traditional singers and others. It was written and composed by A.J. Mills & Harry Castling, and in the Halls was most associated with the singing of Marie Kendall.
Marie Kendall (1873-1964) started singing in the halls when she was 12 years old, beginning her career as a male impersonator, and often appearing as principal boy in pantomime. By the age of 20 she had given up being a male impersonator and had a string of hits like I’m one of the girls, Just like the Ivy, Only a bird in a gilded cage and Two little girls in blue. She was still performing in the 1960s when she appeared in a television programme about Collins’s music hall.
Marie Kendall was filmed singing it in 1935:
Robin Williamson incorporates it into a particularly nice medley:
Sources:
- VWML entry
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics: monologues.co.uk
- Sheet Music: Bumper Book
- WorldCat entry
Last Updated on August 30, 2021 by John Baxter | Published: August 29, 2021
