Oh, sail with me

Composer Austin Philips

Lyricist Reverend John Reynell Wreford (American, 1800 - 1881)

Publisher J F Atwill

Date1833-1849

Object number00036381

NameSheet music

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 334 x 255 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThe cover of 'Oh, sail with me' has a black and white image of a castle on top of a cliff overlooking the sea and a small yacht with a sailor. It was published in New York as No. 3 in the 'Songs of the Sea' series and composed for piano and voice. The image is framed with a border featuring crossed anchors, sea horses, Neptune's tridents and draping flags.HistorySheet music offers an insight into popular culture and social values at the time of their production. The widely distributed pieces were sold fairly cheaply, making them popular purchases with the general public. Music was an integral part of people's social life in the home and at public events such as balls, recitals, concerts and theatre shows. The first stanza of ' Oh, sail with me': Oh! sail with me o'er the sunny sea The morn is gay and glowing, The heav'ns are bright, our spirits light And the fav'ring breeze is blowingSignificance'Oh, sail with me' represents the popularity of sheet music depicting maritime scenes and events in the 19th century.