Скачать или смотреть Merle Alcock “I Cannot Sing the Old Songs” contralto Victor 45216 (Oct. 14, 1920)

Merle Alcock sings “I Cannot Sing the Old Songs” on Victor 45216, recorded on October 14, 1920.

Merle Alcock was born on a farm in Iowa.Merle Alcock was born Merle Tillotson on February 6, 1884, on a farm in Iowa.

Some Columbia labels identify the contralto as Merle Tillotson, but the Edison and Victor companies always used the name Merle Alcock.

She had a rich contralto voice. Her records sold moderately well, and her voice was often heard in radio programs.

For many years she was a professional singing teacher, and Eileen Farrell (a great singer born after Alcock’s generation) was one of Alcock’s students.

Alcock died in 1975.

I cannot sing the old songs
I sung long years ago
For heart and voice would fail me,
And foolish tears would flow;
For bygone hours come o'er my heart,
with each familiar strain
I cannot sing the old songs,
Or dream those dreams again.

I cannot sing the old songs,
Their charm is sad and deep;
Their melodies would waken
Old sorrows from their sleep;
And though all unforgotten still,
and sadly sweet they be,
I cannot sing the old songs,
They are too dear to me.

I cannot sing the old songs,
For visions come again,
Of golden dreams departed
And years of weary pain;
Perhaps when earthly fetters
shall have set my spirit free,
My voice may know the old songs,
For all eternity.




Merle Alcock “I Cannot Sing the Old Songs” contralto Victor 45216 (Oct. 14, 1920)