Junius Brown The Tragedian 1870

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 11Mar2025
2025

I'm an actor who's seen better days,
for I once was a star I've a notion;
I've been toss'd about all sorts of ways
upon the theatrical ocean.
But jealousy, spite and all that
has brought me down to but a seedy 'un
it's been all caus'd by envy, that's flat,
for I once was a heavy tragedian.

I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.
I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.

You have all seen my name in the bills,
which is Junius Antonius Brown, sirs;
and I flatter myself I have caused
great excitement in many a town, sirs;
my last "shop" was the Garrick, Whitechapel;
in a "part" that I could above fit,
My "screw" sirs, for only six nights
was two pounds and a half a clear benefit.

I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.
I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.

Since Kemble none like me's been seen,
yet nought but bad luck is my portion;
my friends say I'm better than Kean,
that my "Richard" and "Hamlet's" a caution.
They say my declaiming's a treat
in the speech over Caesar by Anthony;
I can do the soft parts low and sweet,
Likewise I can "pile up the agony."

I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.
I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.

I search through the "Era" each week
and I write in when talent's required,
but they say they don't know me
(that's cheek,
of such insults and envy I'm tired.)
They offer me terms for a "super"
or ask if I'm up to "utility"
but I'll starve and remain as I am
an artist of wondrous ability.

I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.
I've been a bright star in my time,
though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;
in me you may please to behold
Junius Brown The Tragedian.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
Junius Brown The Tragedian 1870
Lyrics & Music by C.W.Hunt
sung by Arthur Lloyd
© 1870 by H.D'Alcorn & Co.
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at 12.01
in association with Torquil Syme
*
James Pitt-Payne