George R. Poulton
Encyclopedia
George R. Poulton was a musician and composer. best known for composing the tune to "Aura Lea".
He was born in Cricklade
, Nr Cirencester, (Wilts), England in 1828. He was baptised in St. Mary's Church and was raised in the town until the age of seven when his parents, Charles and Hannah Poulton, emigrated to Lansingburgh, New York
. George Poulton's descendants still have connections with the little Saxon town of Cricklade.
In 1861, George Poulton composed the tune "Aura Lea" - one of the most popular tunes of the 19th Century which became a famous American Civil War
song and later became popular with college glee clubs
and barbershop quartets
. It was also sung at the U.S. Military Academy
at West Point, New York
.
It is said that during the Civil War, this song was one of the best with lyrics/poetry by W. W. Fosdick
, and was popular with both Union
and Confederate
soldiers. It is also said that often during the night, when both armies were camped within earshot of each other and the song "Aura Lea" was struck up by one side, the other side would join in. Such moments of camaraderie would have them harmonizing together, with thoughts of home and loved ones. However, such musical interludes were all too brief, for all too soon the horrors of war would return to divide them.
While the legacy of this tune lives on, W. W. Fosdick's original lyrics were changed. No longer the poetry of: "As the blackbird in the spring, Neath the willow tree, Sat and piped I heard him sing, Sing of Aura Lea", but rather a song-lyric for the 'Vinyl & Film' age.
In 1956 the song (now in the public domain) would have its name changed to "Love Me Tender
" and would be credited to Elvis Presley
and Vera Matson (It is said due to royalty issues). The new lyrics, however, were written by Ken Darby
, the American Academy Award and Grammy Award
winning composer and conductor. When Ken Darby was asked why he credited his wife (Vera Matson) as co-songwriter along with Elvis Presley, he responded, "Because she didn't write it either".
While Elvis' version reached millions and indeed inspired many other great singers to give it their all, a respectful credit to its original melody maker would have not gone amiss. Thankfully many others have not been as shy in giving credit where credit is due.
In 1867, only six years after writing "Aura Lea", George R. Poulton died, aged only thirty-eight.
He was born in Cricklade
Cricklade
Cricklade is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in north Wiltshire in England, midway between Swindon and Cirencester.On 25 September 2011 Cricklade was awarded The Royal Horticultural Society's 'Champion of Champions' award in the Britain in Bloom competition.Cricklade is twinned with...
, Nr Cirencester, (Wilts), England in 1828. He was baptised in St. Mary's Church and was raised in the town until the age of seven when his parents, Charles and Hannah Poulton, emigrated to Lansingburgh, New York
Lansingburgh, New York
Lansingburgh was the first chartered village in Rensselaer County, New York, USA and was settled around 1763. The name is from Abraham Lansing, an early settler, combined with the Scottish word burgh....
. George Poulton's descendants still have connections with the little Saxon town of Cricklade.
In 1861, George Poulton composed the tune "Aura Lea" - one of the most popular tunes of the 19th Century which became a famous American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
song and later became popular with college glee clubs
Glee club
A glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...
and barbershop quartets
Barbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
. It was also sung at the U.S. Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
.
It is said that during the Civil War, this song was one of the best with lyrics/poetry by W. W. Fosdick
W. W. Fosdick
William Whiteman Fosdick was a American poet, writer and song lyricist, primarily remembered today as the one who wrote the original lyrics to the song Aura Lea to a melody composed by George R. Poulton. Fosdick was as a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Transylvania University in...
, and was popular with both Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
and Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
soldiers. It is also said that often during the night, when both armies were camped within earshot of each other and the song "Aura Lea" was struck up by one side, the other side would join in. Such moments of camaraderie would have them harmonizing together, with thoughts of home and loved ones. However, such musical interludes were all too brief, for all too soon the horrors of war would return to divide them.
While the legacy of this tune lives on, W. W. Fosdick's original lyrics were changed. No longer the poetry of: "As the blackbird in the spring, Neath the willow tree, Sat and piped I heard him sing, Sing of Aura Lea", but rather a song-lyric for the 'Vinyl & Film' age.
In 1956 the song (now in the public domain) would have its name changed to "Love Me Tender
Love Me Tender (song)
"Love Me Tender" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Elvis Presley Music, adapted from the tune of "Aura Lee" , a sentimental Civil War ballad.- History :...
" and would be credited to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Vera Matson (It is said due to royalty issues). The new lyrics, however, were written by Ken Darby
Ken Darby
Kenneth Lorin Darby was an American composer, vocal arranger, lyricist, and conductor. His film scores were recognized with three Academy Awards and one Grammy Award.- Personal life :...
, the American Academy Award and Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning composer and conductor. When Ken Darby was asked why he credited his wife (Vera Matson) as co-songwriter along with Elvis Presley, he responded, "Because she didn't write it either".
While Elvis' version reached millions and indeed inspired many other great singers to give it their all, a respectful credit to its original melody maker would have not gone amiss. Thankfully many others have not been as shy in giving credit where credit is due.
In 1867, only six years after writing "Aura Lea", George R. Poulton died, aged only thirty-eight.