Great find

Aviana · 21 January 2009, 08:53 PM

I am so pleased about this that I just have to blab about it... there's no where else where people would really appreciate this...

In a newspaper article from 1917, it was noted that a famous composer of the day, Archibald Joyce, had written and dedicated a song to my great grandfather (JAW), honoring his efforts in founding Mother's Day in England. The song was called, "Down in the dear old home". I searched and found a place in London that had a copy of the sheet music. I was interested to hear how the song was composed, and thought I would just play it on the piano.

The music arrived today. I was expecting a modern reprint, but it is actually the original sheet music, in good condition, with a stamp of Archibald Joyce's signature on the front, and here's the best bit that I was not expecting... on the inside cover it says, "Dedicated to J.A. WHITEHEAD Esq., Founder of Mother's Day, August 8th". August 8th was JAW's birthday (and is my father's also).

That put a smile on my face in the middle of an otherwise stressful day.

FliegerJG1 · 22 January 2009, 05:18 AM

Congratulations on your sheet music find! It sounds as if the music was just waiting for you to acquire it.

Now it has the perfect home. Thanks for sharing the good news!

FliegerJG1

AAC Cadet Leader · 22 January 2009, 06:38 AM

wow, aviana! that's a great story! congratulations on such an incredible find!

i'm going to move your topic to a ww1 area that wont expire. (moderator)

Aviana · 22 January 2009, 06:44 AM

Thank you AAC - I was sure that I had seen a place for music but could not find it for the life of me. Much appreciated!