Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839)LONG, LONG AGO. AKA - "Cristo pra Mim." English, Air and Country Dance Tune (2/4). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Raven): ABCD (Hall & Stafford): AABBCCDD (Dixon). "Long Long Ago" is the most famous song written by English writer, poet, and composer Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839), published in 1844 after his death (in 1839), but probably dating to the mid-1830's. Bayly initially studied for the law, following his father, then tried for the clergy before finding a livelihood in writing. Although he wrote for the theater and for newspapers, he is remembered today for his sentimental songs (he wrote both lyrics and melody).
A collection of Bayly’s songs and poems was published by Rufus Griswald, the editor of a Philadelphia magazine, in 1843. Griswald amended the words slightly and changed the title to “Long, Long Ago”. Instant success followed. It was the most popular song in America in 1843, and has remained a favourite over the years, right into the twentieth century.
The tune is printed with variations by Morpeth fiddler Robert Whinham (1814-1893) in both Dixon and Hall & Stafford. Bayly's lyric begins:
Tell me the tales that to me were so dear, Long, long ago, long ago; Sing me the songs I wanted to hear, Long, long ago, long ago. Long have I lived with my mem'ries of you, Now that you're back dear, I know you've been true; Now we're together, just as we were, Long, long ago, long ago.
Additional notes Source for notated version : - the c. 1850 music manuscript of piper and fiddler Tom Armstrong of Hindley Steel [Dixon].
Printed sources : - Dixon (Remember Me), 1995; p. 54. Hall & Stafford (Charlton Memorial Tune Book), 1956; p. 6. Howe (Musician's Companion Part 3), 1844; p. 3; Howe (Family Circle Glee Book Vol.1), 1857; p. 224; Carl Fischer (The Violin Player’s Pastime), nd, c1900,New York, p. 38; Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 142.
Recorded sources : - NPS1, Carole & Anthony Robb (et al) - "New Horizon."
See also listing at : Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
