Song Writers

Harry Clifton

Singer and song writer

All those belonged to the song-and-supper-room era; when Music Hall proper arose, a new school of writers and composers arose with it.
Two of the earliest were Harry Sydney and Harry Clifton, both were very good indeed...

Harry Clifton was in a class by himself. His songs were as popular in the drawing rooms of Victorian Society as they were in Music Hall, mildly sentimental, they were never slushy and always had a moral. Clifton became known as the writer of Motto Songs, offering excellent advice which was appreciated by all as being right, even if they did not all take it. Some of those songs are remembered today, having lines which are now almost proverbial. Such a one was "Paddle Your Own Canoe": 

"Then love your neighbour as yourself, As the world you go travelling through.
And never sit down with a tear or a frown, But paddle your own canoe."

(And)           "Pulling Hard Against the Stream"
Do your best for one another, Making life a pleasant dream.
Help a worn and weary brother, Pulling hard against the stream."

Another of his songs was "Work, Boys, Work And Be Contented," it might well be revived today!

But Clifton was not always sentimental or advisory; he had a much lighter side as well which enabled him to give the nation "Pretty Polly Perkins Of Paddington Green," surely a classic. Many good songs came from his pen and he sang them, too, for he was a music hall performer himself of considerable eminence.

Clifton was born at Hoddesdon and educated at Cheshunt; left an orphan when very young he appears to have turned to the concert halls as soon as he was able and did well for he was evidently a born singer, and writer of songs. He died in 1872, after a short illness at his home at Shepherds Bush and was buried at Kensal Green.

"The Melodies Linger On" by Walter Macqueen-Pope