THE BOROUGH BAND.
AND BANDMASTER’S LAMENT. Hr .}. Golder, local Borough Bandmaster, sends us the, following verses, which he characterises as a. “soliloquy and dirge on its (the Band’s) unfortunate’ downfall”: — Awake to a. measure, my lute, to give pleasure * 1 To my aching brow. While this “row” I deplore— . All comfort refusing, 1 long have been musing The loss of my bandsmen —who’ll neper play more. To tell all my sorrow, what words could I borrow With patience enduring, like Job, ail his woes. My peace well nigh rending, two Councillors sending • The Band till to pieces, as meetings disclose. Because I fell ill—oh, day doomed to sorrow! What worst of misfortunes could e’er me befall — How hard are some Councillors, no pity —no qprrow — But “thumb-screwing’’ me to play outside their Hall. t * ’* My friends now parted, I feel quite deserted. I when I think of our pleasures enjoyed; In music uniting—sweet coiu-'hords excil ing, Now gone to quick ruin—l thus am annoyed. ■To hands I’ve “been wedded/’ and tin’s one I’ve headed — ’Tis gone! Like a parting with someone we love That’s torn from our bosom in youth's lender blossom— To far belter music- and bands up above. Around me my hand —see how altered its “measure”! No cone herds of “sixths.-” no “progressions” complete; E'en “thirds” are omitted, while l “sevenths” give no pleasure. A “sequential” passage is agony to beat. Farewell, my enjoyment! my hobby employment, How harsh to mine ear has thy music become! It even would grieve me if thus to relieve me The “voids” were all smothered by “Jimmie’s” bass drum. Ah, me! Now I'm lonely and pensive when only J muse here alone, thinking “what might have been"; Suppose 1 get wedded —I'm sure Pd be homely — And have my own “hand” in ;> wifey it ud “w^cn.” Lo! This is the Leap Year, for maidens who pine, “Ye Bard,” it is he who can breathe words divine. Put he’s not the handsome “wee clever McGregor; Anyhow, but 1 know I'm a loving poor beggar. Thus fancy would cheer me —wee. Cupid so near me, In fancy entwining Band music with- love. 'Buf, 0! it’s so earthy—though truly I’m worthy To some of the comforts that Councillors love. How fleeting the pleasure —how short is, the measure. My hard work undone, ‘tis like Death's stern decree. The Band dying, weary —regretted sincerely By mourners, respectfully —Tom Powell and me.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2092, 19 February 1920, Page 3
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406THE BOROUGH BAND. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2092, 19 February 1920, Page 3
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