William Hargreaves (1880–1941) was a British composer and songwriter. He was born in Liverpool, but moved to London in 1901 where he established himself as a song and revue writer. His most famous songs include:
- Burlington Bertie from Bow
- Delaney’s Donkey
- Down in the field where the buttercups all grow
- Farewell Isabelle
- I’ve never wronged an onion
- Just like being at home (with Harry Lauder)
- Little by little and bit by bit (with Worton David)
- Little Yellow Bird (with CW Murphy, 1903)
- The Most miserable man on earth (with Sam Mayo, 1904)
- Oh! I must go home tonight
- PC 49
- Where The Violets Are Blue-oo and The Roses Are Red
- The King’s Navy
- Your dear old dad was Irish (your mother came from Wales)
He was married to the singer and male impersonator Ella Shields and wrote a number of songs for her.
Last Updated on May 30, 2025 by John Baxter | Published: November 12, 2024
