Bathing thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bathing

Sheet Music
1898 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Sheet music for the song Bathing as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by J. P. Harrington and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Francis, Day & Hunter and in New York by T. B. Harms & Co., 1898

Before the use of gramophones and radio became widespread, the music sheet was the mainstay of the music industry. The explosion in popularity of parlour music in the late 19th century, with a piano becoming a fixture in the home, led to the printing of famous songs from the music hall stage. This music sheet is one of many that were issued with the words and music of songs performed by the music hall star Marie Lloyd.

Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) had a career spanning 40 years. She first appeared at the Eagle Tavern in London aged 15 as Bella Delmare, singing ‘My Soldier Laddie’. By 1885 she had become Marie Lloyd with her hit song ‘The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery’. She was a huge success and topped the bill at the West End music halls. Her songs were full of innuendo and double meaning. ‘She’d never had her ticket punched before’ and ‘Oh Mr Porter what shall I do?’ appeared innocent on first reading but took on a very saucy interpretation when performed by Miss Lloyd.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Scores
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Scores
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Scores
TitleBathing (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph, printing ink on paper
Brief description
Sheet music for 'Bathing' as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by J. P. Harrington and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Francis, Day & Hunter and in New York by T. B. Harms & Co., 1898
Physical description
Music sheet for 'Bathing' consisting of an illustrated cover, four pages with score and lyrics, and back cover. The cover is illustrated with an image of Marie Lloyd in a bathing dress with, to left, a drawing of an all-male crowd at the seaside captioned 'Waiting for Marie's Turn' and, to right, a drawing of men and women sea bathing. The back cover gives a list of 'Newest Comic Songs'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 36.0cm
  • Width: 26.0cm
Marks and inscriptions
'This Song may be Sung in Public without fee or licence, except at Theatres and Music Halls. / BATHING / Written by / J. P. Harrington, / Composed by / George / Le Brunn / Sung by / MISS MARIE LLOYD. / Copyright. / Price 4/= / London: Francis, Day & Hunter, 142 Charing Cross Road, (Oxford Street End,) / Publishers of, Smallwood's Celebrated Pianoforte Tutor. Smallwood's 55 Melodious Exercises, Etc. / New York: T. B. Harms & Co. 18 East 22nd Street. / Copyright MDCCCXCVIII in the United States of America by Francis, Day & Hunter / Telegraphic Address / Arpeggio London. / H. G. Banks, Lith.' (Printed on cover)
Credit line
Given by the estate of Ned Sherrin in memory of Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin
Subjects depicted
Summary
Sheet music for the song Bathing as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by J. P. Harrington and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Francis, Day & Hunter and in New York by T. B. Harms & Co., 1898

Before the use of gramophones and radio became widespread, the music sheet was the mainstay of the music industry. The explosion in popularity of parlour music in the late 19th century, with a piano becoming a fixture in the home, led to the printing of famous songs from the music hall stage. This music sheet is one of many that were issued with the words and music of songs performed by the music hall star Marie Lloyd.

Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) had a career spanning 40 years. She first appeared at the Eagle Tavern in London aged 15 as Bella Delmare, singing ‘My Soldier Laddie’. By 1885 she had become Marie Lloyd with her hit song ‘The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery’. She was a huge success and topped the bill at the West End music halls. Her songs were full of innuendo and double meaning. ‘She’d never had her ticket punched before’ and ‘Oh Mr Porter what shall I do?’ appeared innocent on first reading but took on a very saucy interpretation when performed by Miss Lloyd.
Collection
Accession number
S.80:1 to 4-2008

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Record createdMarch 19, 2008
Record URL
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