Oley Speaks
Encyclopedia
Oley Speaks was an accomplished composer
and songwriter
who was born in Canal Winchester
, Franklin County
, Ohio
. The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society Museum
has exhibits about the life of Oley Speaks, including original sheet music
written by him.
as a railroad clerk at a station
in Columbus, Ohio
, until he decided to pursue his musical passions. He was a fine baritone
singer
in churches at Columbus before he moved to New York City
in 1898 and started taking lesson
s. One of his voice teachers was the American soprano
Emma Thursby. Speaks had a successful career as a singer, touring the US
giving recital
s and also appearing in oratorio
s.
Speaks began to write songs, much of his output being on religious
themes. He studied composition with Will Macfarlane and Max Spicker. In 1907, he wrote On the Road to Mandalay using the words of Rudyard Kipling
's poem "Mandalay
", which sold over one million
copies. The song was a popular parlour
ballad
, particularly in the United Kingdom
and British territories worldwide, and was boosted by the recording
by Frank Sinatra
which was released on the Come Fly with Me album
in 1958. However, after some resistance from the Kipling estate
over the omission of several verses, this version of the song remained embargoed in the British Commonwealth
until it appeared on the digitally-remastered
release of the album many years later. Speaks had two further million-selling successes, Morning to a lyric
by Frank Lebby Stanton
in 1910 and Sylvia to a lyric by Clinton Scollard
in 1914, but neither has been popular in the age of the gramophone, though his material turns up in anthologies
; distinguished American baritone
Robert Merrill
has a recording of Sylvia, and Irish
tenor
John McCormack has recordings of all three famous titles available on CD
. More recently, American baritone
Thomas Hampson has also recorded On the Road to Mandalay.
Speaks was a prominent member of ASCAP, where he was elected Director 1924 – 1943. He was also a National Patron of Delta Omicron
, an international professional music fraternity.
", but his most famous work was included in the soundtrack
of several films:
or The John Church Company, including:
Sacred Anthems, including:
Choral Partsongs, including:
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who was born in Canal Winchester
Canal Winchester, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,478 people, 1,664 households, and 1,264 families residing in the village. The 2004 census estimates that there are now 5,381 people residing in the village, and Canal Winchester may become a city within the next year or two. The population density was 702.9...
, Franklin County
Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society Museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
has exhibits about the life of Oley Speaks, including original sheet music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
written by him.
Biography
Speaks started his careerCareer
Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a person's "course or progress through life ". It is usually considered to pertain to remunerative work ....
as a railroad clerk at a station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, until he decided to pursue his musical passions. He was a fine baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
in churches at Columbus before he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1898 and started taking lesson
Lesson
A lesson is a structured period of time where learning is intended to occur. It involves one or more students being taught by a teacher or instructor...
s. One of his voice teachers was the American soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Emma Thursby. Speaks had a successful career as a singer, touring the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
giving recital
Recital
A recital is a musical performance. It can highlight a single performer, sometimes accompanied by piano, or a performance of the works of a single composer.The invention of the solo piano recital has been attributed to Franz Liszt....
s and also appearing in oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
s.
Speaks began to write songs, much of his output being on religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
themes. He studied composition with Will Macfarlane and Max Spicker. In 1907, he wrote On the Road to Mandalay using the words of Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
's poem "Mandalay
Mandalay (poem)
Mandalay is a famous poem by Rudyard Kipling that was first published in the collection Barrack-Room Ballads, and Other Verses, the first series, published in 1892....
", which sold over one million
Million
One million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
copies. The song was a popular parlour
Parlour
Parlour , from the French word parloir, from parler , denotes an "audience chamber". In parts of the United Kingdom and the United States, parlours are common names for certain types of food service houses, restaurants or special service areas, such as tattoo parlors...
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, particularly in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and British territories worldwide, and was boosted by the recording
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
which was released on the Come Fly with Me album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
in 1958. However, after some resistance from the Kipling estate
Estate (law)
An estate is the net worth of a person at any point in time. It is the sum of a person's assets - legal rights, interests and entitlements to property of any kind - less all liabilities at that time. The issue is of special legal significance on a question of bankruptcy and death of the person...
over the omission of several verses, this version of the song remained embargoed in the British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
until it appeared on the digitally-remastered
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
release of the album many years later. Speaks had two further million-selling successes, Morning to a lyric
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
by Frank Lebby Stanton
Frank Lebby Stanton
Frank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
in 1910 and Sylvia to a lyric by Clinton Scollard
Clinton Scollard
Clinton Scollard was a prolific American poet and occasional writer of fiction. He was a Professor of English at Hamilton College, and collaborator and husband of Jessie Belle Rittenhouse.- Professional career :...
in 1914, but neither has been popular in the age of the gramophone, though his material turns up in anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
; distinguished American baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
Robert Merrill
Robert Merrill
Robert Merrill was an American operatic baritone.-Early life:Merrill was born Moishe Miller, later known as Morris Miller, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, to tailor Abraham Miller, originally Milstein, and his wife Lillian, née Balaban, immigrants from Warsaw, Poland.His mother...
has a recording of Sylvia, and Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
John McCormack has recordings of all three famous titles available on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. More recently, American baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
Thomas Hampson has also recorded On the Road to Mandalay.
Speaks was a prominent member of ASCAP, where he was elected Director 1924 – 1943. He was also a National Patron of Delta Omicron
Delta Omicron
Delta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:...
, an international professional music fraternity.
In the movies
Speaks can be described as a "one-hit wonderOne-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
", but his most famous work was included in the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of several films:
- Paul Tremaine and His Aristocrats (1929) (sung by Paul Tremaine)
- Metro Movietone Revue (1929/II) (sung by George Dewey Washington)
- Mandalay (1934) (played during opening credits) (not to be confused with The Road to MandalayThe Road to Mandalay (film)The Road to Mandalay is a 1926 silent drama film directed by Tod Browning.-Cast:* Lon Chaney - Singapore Joe* Lois Moran - Joe's Daughter* Owen Moore - The Admiral* Henry B. Walthall - Father James* Sojin - English Charlie Wing...
, a 1926 film) - China SeasChina Seas (film)China Seas is a 1935 adventure film starring Clark Gable as a brave sea captain, Jean Harlow as his brassy paramour, and Wallace Beery as an extremely suspicious-looking character...
(1935) (variation played as part of the score during the opening credits and at the end) - MetropolitanMetropolitan (1935 film)Metropolitan is a 1935 back-stage drama film interlaced with songs and musical segments from opera.Directed by Ryszard Bolesławski , it featured the famous baritone Lawrence Tibbett , with Virginia Bruce as his leading lady...
(1935) (sung by Lawrence TibbettLawrence TibbettLawrence Mervil Tibbett was a great American opera singer and recording artist who also performed as a film actor and radio personality. A baritone, he sang with the New York Metropolitan Opera company more than 600 times from 1923 to 1950...
with piano accompaniment by Luis Alberni (who both appeared) in the score during the end credits) - They Met in BombayThey Met in BombayThey Met in Bombay is a 1941 American drama film adventure directed by Clarence Brown. The film stars Clark Gable, Rosalind Russell and Peter Lorre.-Plot:...
(1941) (played several times as part of the score)
Musical Works
Over 250 songs, originally published by G. SchirmerG. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
or The John Church Company, including:
- Again the Strains of "Holy Night" (Christmas Carol) (Schirmer)
- A Night in June (John Church)
- April Rain (Robert Loveman, in Harper's MagazineHarper's MagazineHarper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
) (John Church, 1901) - Ashes of Roses (John Church)
- A Song of April (John Church)
- At Starlight-time (Schirmer)
- Back again in Eldon (Schirmer)
- The Bells of Youth (Schirmer)
- Beloved, It is Morn (Emily HickeyEmily Henrietta HickeyEmily Henrietta Hickey was an Irish author, narrative poet and translator.She was born in Macmine Castle, near Enniscorthy in County Wexford, daughter of the Rev. J. S. Hickey, Protestant rector of Goresbridge and grand-daughter of Rev. William Hickey , an agriculturist...
) (John Church, 1906) - Bend low, O dusky night (Schirmer)
- By the Waters of Babylon (Psalm cxxxvii, 1-5) (Schirmer and John Church)
- Call of the Lark (Schirmer)
- Charity (Schirmer)
- Come, Spirit of the Living God (Schirmer)
- Day is Dawning (Schirmer)
- Day is Dying in the West (Schirmer)
- The Elder Blossoms (John Church)
- Elysium (Clinton Scollard) (Schirmer, 1913)
- Eternity (Schirmer)
- The Evening Hour (Schirmer)
- An Evening Song (Schirmer)
- Everywhere (S. B. Cassin) (John Church, 1907)
- Eyes of Blue (John Church)
- For a Day (Schirmer)
- For Love and Thee (Lucien G. Chaffin) (Schirmer)
- For You, Dear Heart (John Church)
- A Garden Idyl (Arthur Wallace Peach) (Schirmer)
- Gently, Lord, Oh, Gently Lead Us (Thomas HastingsThomas HastingsThomas Hastings may refer to:*Thomas Hastings , English Puritan settler in early Colonial America; deacon who left Ipswich in 1634; served in many Massachusetts public offices...
) (Schirmer, 1914) - Go 'long, chile, to Sleepy-Town (Schirmer)
- Greeting (John Church)
- Hark! Hark, my Soul! (F. W. Faber) (Schirmer, 1923)
- Heaven is my Home (John Church)
- Her Rose (Two Love Songs, no. 2) (Jeanie Gallup Mottet) (Schirmer, 1914)
- He's Such a Lil' Trouble (John Church)
- The Hills of Dawn (Frank L. StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
) (Schirmer) - The Hills of Kerry (John Church)
- His Perfect Love (Schirmer)
- How Long Will Thou Forget Me? (Psalm xiii) (Schirmer, 1911)
- If I Knew (John Church)
- If You Became a Nun, Dear (John Church)
- In Heavenly Love Abiding (Schirmer)
- In Maytime (Frank L. StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
) (John Church) - In the End of Sabbath (Easter Song) (Schirmer)
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Christmas Song) (Schirmer)
- The Joys of June (Schirmer)
- June-Time (Schirmer)
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is (John Church)
- The Lamp in the West (Schirmer)
- The Lane to Ballybree (Katherine Edelman) (Schirmer, 1921)
- The Lassie I Love Best (Schirmer)
- Let Not Your Heart be Troubled (John xiv: 27) (Schirmer, 1919)
- Life (John Church)
- Life's Joys (Schirmer)
- Life's Twilight (A love song) (Schirmer)
- Light at Evening-Time (Schirmer)
- The Little Christ is Coming Down (Christmas Carol) (Schirmer)
- Little House o' Dreams (Schirmer)
- Little One A'cryin' (John Church)
- A Little Way to Walk with You (Schirmer)
- Long Ago (John Church)
- The Lord is my Light (Psalm 27) (Schirmer)
- Love of Yesteryear (Schirmer)
- A Lover's Song (Schirmer)
- Memories (John Church)
- Memory of You (Schirmer)
- A Message (Schirmer)
- Morning (Frank L. StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
) (Schirmer, 1910, T.I.S. reprint 1998) - Mother (Schirmer)
- My Homeland (Schirmer)
- Never a Winter but Sang of May (John Church)
- The Night has a Thousand Eyes (John Church)
- Now the Day is Over (Schirmer)
- Ohio (Schirmer)
- O Master, Let me Walk with Thee (Schirmer)
- On the Road to Mandalay (Rudyard KiplingRudyard KiplingJoseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
) (John Church, 1907) - O That We Two were Maying (John Church)
- Out in the Blossoms (John Church)
- Over the Hills and Home Again (Schirmer)
- Pegging Along (Leslie Alan Taylor) (Schirmer, 1920)
- The Pilgrim (John Church)
- The Prayer Perfect (James Whitcomb RileyJames Whitcomb RileyJames Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the Hoosier Poet and Children's Poet for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively...
) (Schirmer, 1930) - The Quiet Road (Schirmer)
- Rainbow-land (Schirmer)
- Realization (Schirmer)
- Reveries (Irene Stiles) (Schirmer)
- Roses After Rain (John Church)
- Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing (Schirmer)
- The Secret (Anonymous) (Schirmer, 1918)
- Serenade (Schirmer)
- Since Love Led Me to You (John Church)
- Since We Parted (John Church)
- Softly Now the Light of Day (Schirmer)
- Some Sweet Day (Schirmer)
- A Song of Gladness (Schirmer)
- Song of Spring (Schirmer)
- Song of Waiting (Schirmer)
- Star-eyes (Schirmer)
- The Star of hope (A Christ-child legend, Christmas Song) (Schirmer)
- Still, Still with Thee (John Church)
- Summer in the heart (Schirmer)
- Summer Skies (John Church)
- Summertime's Song (John Church)
- Sunshine and Happiness (Schirmer)
- The Sweet Story of Old (Schirmer)
- Sylvia (C. Scollard) (Schirmer, 1914)
- There's a Song in the Air (Christmas Song) (Schirmer)
- The Thought of You (Schirmer)
- Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace (Isiah 26:3, Psalm 139:11) (Schirmer)
- Thy Will Be Done (John Church)
- To One Unknown (Schirmer)
- Toward the Sunrise (Schirmer)
- To you (M.B. Gannon) (Schirmer, 1910)
- Twilight and Dawn (Schirmer)
- Under the Wide and Starry Sky (John Church)
- The Vagabond (Schirmer)
- Were I a King! (Schirmer)
- When All the Bonny Birds (Schirmer)
- When Gazing in Thine Eyes So Dear (John Church)
- When June Days Come Again (Two Love Songs, no. 1) (Schirmer)
- When Love is Gone (John Church)
- When Mabel Sings (Frank L. StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
) (John Church, 1902) - When Stars are in the Quiet Skies (John Church)
- When the Boys Come Home (A martial melody) (J. Hay) (Schirmer, 1911)
- Where the Heart Is (John Church)
- Where You, Beloved, Are (Schirmer)
- With Dreams of May (John Church)
- Your Smile (Schirmer)
Sacred Anthems, including:
- Gently, Lord, Oh, Gently Lead Us (Thomas HastingsThomas HastingsThomas Hastings may refer to:*Thomas Hastings , English Puritan settler in early Colonial America; deacon who left Ipswich in 1634; served in many Massachusetts public offices...
, arr. Lucien Chaffin) (Schirmer, 1914) - Now the Day is Over (Schirmer)
Choral Partsongs, including:
- In Maytime (Frank L. Stanton) (John Church)
External links
- Canal Winchester Area Historical Society
- Derek B Scott sings "On the Road to Mandalay" (1907)
- Oley Speaks at Naxos Records
- "Morning" by Frank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
& Oley Speaks as sung by Eleanor SteberEleanor SteberEleanor Steber was an American operatic soprano. Steber is noted as one of the first major opera stars to have achieved the highest success with training and a career based in the United States.-Biography:... - "Morning" by Frank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
& Oley Speaks as sung by Tessa Folch - "Morning" by Frank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby StantonFrank Lebby Stanton—born February 22, 1857 in Charleston, South Carolina, died January 7, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, and frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L...
& Oley Speaks as sung by Webster BoothWebster BoothLeslie Webster Booth , better known by his stage name, Webster Booth, was a British tenor. He is largely remembered today as the duettist partner of Anne Ziegler, but he was also one of the finest British tenors of his generation and was a distinguished oratorio soloist.He was a chorister at... - Sheet music for "Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace", G. Schirmer, Inc., 1913.