University of Virginia Library

Sung by Mr. J. Russell, in the “Strand-ed Actor.” [The singing of this Song is usually prefaced, for the better understanding of it, by the following remarks. A country Dancing Master, going to give a lesson to a young lady, unfortunately lost, or mislaid his fiddle. What to do he knew not—his pupil could not dance without music, and music there was none, except he could make some. He therefore bethought himself of the expedient of substituting a vocal for the instrumental accompaniment, and accordingly sung the tune to which the young lady's steps were to be regulated; but as he had continually to keep giving directions, and yet could not leave off singing, he was obliged to set them to music, and make them form a part of the harmony; the ludicrous effect of which may be more easily conceived than told by the singing of the following imitation.] Air—‘Hey for the life of a Soldier’