Bagnell, Sam

A largely forgotten figure today, the very brief biography here has been put together from in Victorian newspapers . Sam Bagnall (1836-1885) was a very successful performer in the Halls from early 1860s until his death performing constantly, appearing in both “provincial” and London Halls. Early in his career he was described as Shakespearean comic, so for example this cutting has him parodying Hamlet:

He wrote songs for himself and others, including George Leybourne – apparently specialising in comic romantic songs. He toured widely in London and the provinces between 1863 and his early death in 1885, which was announced in this single, brief paragraph in The Era:

He wrote and performed several songs which passed into traditional singing, including:

• A starry night for a ramble
• The fishermen’s daughter
• The Marble Arch/ The Magic Circle
• I wish mamma was here
• On the banks of the beautiful Severn

See also The poor little sweep

All the known songs: This list probably underestimates his full output, but represents my most complete list of his songs that were published as sheet music with cross-references to the Roud Indexes where they exist.