Alonzo the brave and the Fair Imogine (Sam Cowell’s Parody)

Alonzo and the Fair Imogene
From undated sheet music in the Levy Collection (prob 1855 - see below)

CHANT
I am going to sing you a story, which I suppose you all know;
At least twas told to me a very long time ago. 
'Tis all about a young fellow, by name Alonzo, 
And amongst the ladies he was quite a beau!

AIR - "Old English Gentleman"
Now this young swell a sweetheart had,
A fairer ne'er was seen —
She'd light blue eyes and flaxen hair,
And only seventeen.
And he was just turned twenty one,
And what we might call 'green'
To 'flop' his young affections
On the faithless Imogene ;
This foolish soft young gentleman, 
The subject of our rhyme.

AIR - "Guaracha" [AIR - Marble Halls]
Alonzo the brave and the fair Imogene
Conversed as they sat side by side
And, squeezing her hand, 
(You all know how I mean,) 
Said, dearest, (dearest!) wilt thou be my bride? 
Wilt thou be my bride?

AIR - "La Sonnambula" [AIR - Still so gently]
Sounds so joyful, bliss, revealing,
Chloroform-like o'er her senses, stealing.
So she answered him, in tones of feeling -
Dearest Alonzo! You must ask my respectable papa.

AIR - "Sprig of Shillelagh"
Then away went Alonzo to seek the old man,
And to gain his consent tried to hit on a plan,
By which he might marry the fair Imogene.
The wars they were on, the Baron was bold,
He'd once been a soldier but was now rather old; 
So, said he to Alonzo, if you will go there,
And join the brave army, I do not much care 
If I grant you permission to wed Imogene.

[AIR - Lucy Long]
Now Alonzo was handsome, and Alonzo he was young, 
So off he went to Imogene, and thus he said, or sung 
I've just now seen your father, and he says, my dearest life -
That, if I'll be a soldier, why he'll let you be my wife! 

Then good bye, dear Alonzo, I know you're young and strong;
So, go and be a soldier, but do not stay too long. 

[AIR - Believe me if all, &c]
But ah! said the youth, since tomorrow I go 
To fight in a far distant land,
Some other may court you, and you will bestow 
On a wealthier suitor your hand.

Oh cease those suspicions, fair Imogene cried, 
If e'er another my heart should decide,
Forgetting Alonzo the brave,
I hope that to punish my falsehood and pride,
Your ghost at my wedding may sit by my aide,
May tax me with perjury, claim me as bride, 
And bear me away to the grave.

AIR - "Lord Lovel"
But he head not been gone but a year and a day,
To fight in a far country - 
When a Baron, all covered with jewels and gold,
Came and asked her his spousy to be, be, be - 
Came and asked her if she'd marry he.

AIR - "Kitty Clover"
Now this Baron he certainly bothered her so,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
With him to the church she consented to go, 
Which was very wrong we know.

The guests were invited, and everything done, 
The moments flew by with uproarious fun,
Till the bell of the castle at length tolled ONE
Bow, wow, wow, wow! oh, oh, oh, oh! 
The guests in affright from the tables all run
The reason. you shortly shall know.

AIR - "The Mistletoe Bough"
A figure unearthly, the hall up did glide, 
And seated himself at fair Imogine's side ; 
His air was terrific, he utter'd no sound,
He spoke not, he moved not, he gazed not around:
His vizor was down, in black armour he shone, 
And Imogine's features grew ghastly and wan; 
The lights they burn'd blue, and the lady, they say, 
As usual in such cases, fainted away
Oh, for poor Imogene's vow,
Poor Immy ! you're in for it now.

This is what the ghost said
Behold me - you told me - 
You'd be true, and you've sold me!
List to your own broken vow!

Air - "Down among the dead men" 
You hoped that, to punish your falsehood and pride,
My ghost at your wedding should sit by your side, 
Might tax you with perjury, claim you as bride
And bear you away to the grave beside

Now, since your oath you did forego,
Down among the dead men, 
Down, down, down, down, 
Down among the dead men you must go.

AIR - "Billy Taylor"
Now ladies pray take my advice, 
From this doleful history 
When your lovers go fight for a warrior's laurel
Never give way to perjury!

Tiddy iddy iddy iddy tol lol lol lol
Tiddy iddy iddy iddy tol lol lol la
Tiddy iddy ol lol
Tiddy iddy ol lol
Tiddy iddy ol lol, tol lol la!

For in these days of table-turning, 
The tables may be turned on you, 
And don't think ghost can't be returning 
'Cause now I assure you that they do!

Tiddy iddy etc

And, if doubt on my tale you're throwing, 
The original parties may be seen, 
Just go and ask Mr Robert Owen, 
He'll call up Alonzo and Imogine!

Tiddy iddy etc

[NB when an Air is indicated in square brackets the suggestion has come from the Monthly Songster (1872) rather than the sheet music]

This song, written and performed by Sam Cowell, was the most successful of a number of parodies of gothic ballad poem Alonzo the Great and Fair Imogine by Matthew Gregory Lewis, first published in 1795 . The original poem was popular as a song/recitation throughout the 19th century and passed into the repertoire of a number of traditional singers in America and Canada. Cowell’s parody is not found in the repertoire of many traditional singers, but there is one instance in Ireland, where it was found in the song-book of John McColl (1822–1902): “a 19th century collection of songs and ballads from the Carlow/Wexford Border.”

Sheet music for Sam Cowell’s parody was first advertised in late 1855:

Sam Cowell was one of the stars of the early Music Halls and supper rooms, who often sang older songs in a mocking, burlesque style for comedic effect.

The sheet music indicates that Cowell’s parody was sung to a series of well-known tunes – 8 are indicated in the copy provided in the Levy Collection, though on some broadsides there are as many as 11.

The song makes reference to social reformer Robert Owen (1771-1858) who in his later years became interested in spiritualism and seances.

A rendition of Cowell’s parody recorded by Tim Ayres-Kerr (with Justin Williams)