Andrew Poleson                                                                                 SA1971.219.10

This song was the composition of Felix McGlennon, a late Victorian music hall composer who attempted to raise the tone of music halls by promoting more respectable if more sentimental songs.  The lyrics that Andrew sings have changed somewhat with the passage of years but make good sense and are just as well composed.

Roud index no. V23473

 

I‘ve seen many lands, but no place seems to be so dear as the home of my birth:
Though simple and lowly it it always will be the grandest place on the whole earth.
          Back to the old home again, down In the old village lane,
          Back to the spot I never forgot, back to the old home again.

The green ivy clusters around its old walls, the birds of the air build their nests: 
And though far away it still always remains the grandest place on the whole earth.
          Back to the old home again, down In the old village lane,
          Back to the spot I’ve never forgot, back to the old home again.

– – – – – – – – – –
Mc Glennon’s first verse:

There’s a place that will ne’er be forgotten by me,  Its the cottage wherein I was born,
And though years have rolled on, yet in fancy I see it there, ‘mid the tall waving corn. 
Twas humble, ’twas lowly, but ah, it contained my nearest and dearest on earth,
And where’er I go, I am longing to be once more in the home of my birth.
          Back to the old home again, down In the old country lane,
          Back to the spot I’ve never forgot, back to the old home again.

s.