The Flying Trapeze (1868)

A comic waltz song from the London music hall. Words and music by George Leybourne. Arranged by Alfred Lee. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co.

sung by sheet music singer, Fred Feild
piano according to the sheet music

1. Once I was happy, but now I'm forlorn
Like an old coat, that is tattered and torn
Left on this wide world to fret and to mourn
Betrayed by a maid in her teens
The girl that I loved, she was handsome
I tried all I knew, her to please
But I could not please her one quarter so well
Like that man upon the Trapeze

Chorus:
He'd fly thro' the air with the greatest of ease
A daring young man on the flying Trapeze
His movements were graceful, all girls he could please
And my love he purloined away

2. This young man by name was "Signor Bona Slang"
Tall, big, and handsome as well made as Chang
Where'er he appeared, the hall loudly rang
With ovation from all people there
He'd smile from the bar on the people below
And one night he smiled on my love
She winked back at him, and she shouted "Bravo!"
As he hung by his nose up above

3. Her father and mother were both on my side
And very hard tried to make her my own bride
Her father he sighed, and her mother she cried
To see her throw herself away
'Twas all no avail, she went there every night
And would throw him boquets on the stage
Which caused him to meet her, how he ran me down
To tell you would take a whole page

4. One night I as ususal, went to her dear home
Found there her father and mother alone
I asked for my love, and soon they made known
To my horror that she'd run away
She'd packed up her box, and eloped in the night
With him with the greatest of ease
From two stories high, he had lowered her down
To the ground on his flying Trapeze

5. Some months after this I went to a Hall
Was greatly surprised to see on the wall
A bill in red letters, which did my heart gall
That she was appearing with him
He taught her gymnastics, and dressed her in tights
To help him to live at his ease
And made her assume a masculine name
And now she goes on the Trapeze

Chorus:
She floats through the air with the greatest of ease
You'd think her a man on the flying Trapeze
She does all the work, while he takes his ease
And that's what's become of my love

This charming song is an old favorite. It was probably written and composed by Alfred Lee. It was made famous by Joe Saunders (stage name George Leybourne), a mechanic and singer from the midlands of England. He sang it in the London music hall. It has a four-part harmony chorus.

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Get the sheet music and MIDI at:
https://www.sheetmusicsinger.com/the-...