We found this wonderful piece of sheet music titled Marie A Love Ballad by Charles Shackford, published by Jos W. Stern in our mailbox yesterday! It originally sold for 60 cents in 1907 and we'd purchased it 107 years later in 2014 for $3.00 plus shipping. Unfortunately our scanner makes the cover look worse than it is - we'll have to experiment with photography to share the other music covers we've collected.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, Charles Winthrop Marston Shackford was born about 1862, the son of Dr Charles Harrison Shackford and his wife Ariana Marston. He was a baritone singer who performed in many operas, tried to run an opera company, and wrote quite a bit of music.
We've been compiling lists of Charles' music from various sources for years and had never heard of this particular piece until it was listed on eBay about two weeks ago. Unlike Charles' other music, the cover of this music is very simple and like many of his pieces the words are very romantic.
We haven't figured out to transcribe sheet music into sound yet but are sharing a transcription of the words along with the first page of the music so those who are musically inclined can sing the first verse of this ballad.
MARIE A Love Ballad by Charles Shackford
If I were a rose upon your breast, Marie, Marie
If mine were the lips that yours had pressed, Marie, Marie
'Tis then I would know you lov'd me best, Marie, Marie
And in your heart, contented rest, Marie, Marie, Marie.
Could I but live within your smile for aye,
My lips would breathe fond love by night and day,
My heart is pleading that you bid me stay, Marie, Marie, Marie
And ever longing in the same old way, Marie, Marie, Marie
If you were a queen and I a king, Marie, Marie,
My treasures of gold to you I'd bring, Marie, Marie,
Then near to your palace gate I'd sing, Marie, Marie
Your realm would be my wedding ring, Marie, Marie.
Could I but live within your smile for aye,
My lips would breathe fond love by night and day,
My heart is pleading that you bid me stay, Marie, Marie, Marie
And ever longing in the same old way, Marie, Marie, Marie
Shackford Charles, Marie A Love Ballad (New York: Jos. W. Stern & Co, 104 West 38th St, 1907), Sheet Music, Price 60 cents, purchased on eBay March 2014 from Pagesnligh
Copyright 2014 Joanne Shackford Parkes