Thomas Haynes Bayly
Encyclopedia
Thomas Haynes Bayly was an English poet, songwriter, dramatist, and miscellaneous writer
.
The son of a wealthy lawyer
in Bath, Bayly intended to become an attorney like his father, but he changed his mind and thought of entering the church, but he abandoned this idea also and gave himself to writing for the stage and the periodical press. He is chiefly known for his songs (of which he wrote hundreds) which, set to the music of Bishop and other eminent composers, found universal acceptance. Some were set to his own music. He also wrote several novels and a number of farces. Although making a large income from his writings, in addition to that of his wife, he encountered financial problems.
His best known songs include Old House at Home
, I'd be a Butterfly, Oh, no, we never mention him, She wore a Wreath of Roses, The Mistletoe Bough
, and Long, Long Ago
. Except for Thomas Moore
(1779–1852), Bayly is regarded as the most popular song writer of his time.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
The son of a wealthy lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in Bath, Bayly intended to become an attorney like his father, but he changed his mind and thought of entering the church, but he abandoned this idea also and gave himself to writing for the stage and the periodical press. He is chiefly known for his songs (of which he wrote hundreds) which, set to the music of Bishop and other eminent composers, found universal acceptance. Some were set to his own music. He also wrote several novels and a number of farces. Although making a large income from his writings, in addition to that of his wife, he encountered financial problems.
His best known songs include Old House at Home
Old House at Home
The Old House at Home is a sentimental 19th century ballad written by Thomas Haynes Bayly .The lyrics are a two stanza poem about childhood and yearning for home:The title of the song was re-used by Edward Loder's cousin, the composer and conductor George Loder , for a musical entertainment that...
, I'd be a Butterfly, Oh, no, we never mention him, She wore a Wreath of Roses, The Mistletoe Bough
Legend of the Mistletoe Bough
The Legend of the Mistletoe Bough is a ghost story which has been associated with many mansions and stately homes in England.The tale tells how a new bride, playing a game of hide-and-seek during her wedding breakfast, hid in a chest in an attic and was unable to escape. She was not discovered by...
, and Long, Long Ago
Long, Long Ago
Long, Long Ago is a song dealing with nostalgia, written in 1833 by English composer Thomas Haynes Bayly. Originally named The Long Ago, its name was apparently changed by the editor Rufus Wilmot Griswold when it was first published, posthumously, in a Philadelphia magazine, along with a...
. Except for Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer. He was responsible, with John Murray, for burning Lord Byron's memoirs after his death...
(1779–1852), Bayly is regarded as the most popular song writer of his time.