b. 1812d. 1888
Edward Lear
Edward Lear was a British writer whose writing, especially his nonsensical verses, often caught the attention of American song composers.
Photo: Edward Lear, 1887, public domain.
Audio
“There was a Young Lady of Lucca” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)1:00
“There was a Young Lady of Parma” (from “More Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 43”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)2:33
“There was an Old Lady of France” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)1:26
“There was an Old Man in a Tree” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)1:46
“There was an Old Man With a Beard” (from “More Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 43”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)1:20
“There was an Old Man with a Gong” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)2:15
“There was an Old Person of Cassel” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)1:43
“There was an Old Person of Skye” (from “Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42”)
Donald George (tenor) & Lucy Mauro (piano)0:46
About
Lear’s verses were especially loved and set by American composer Margaret Ruthven Lang.
Related Information
Poetry Foundation
poetryfoundation.org/poets/edward-learPoets.org
poets.org/poet/edward-learEdward Lear Home Page
nonsenselit.org/LearSongs
A Little Nonsense1988Richard Pearson ThomasEdward LearCalico Pie1988 · A Little NonsenseRichard Pearson ThomasEdward LearMore Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 431907Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearNonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 421905Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThe Courtship of the Yongly Bongly Bo1974Virgil ThomsonEdward LearThe Pobble Who Has No Toes1988 · A Little NonsenseRichard Pearson ThomasEdward LearThe Owl and the Pussycat1988 · A Little NonsenseRichard Pearson ThomasEdward LearThere was an Old Lady of France1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was a Young Lady of Lucca1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was a Young Lady of ParmaMore Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 43Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was an Old Man in a Tree1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was an Old Man with a Beard1907 · More Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 43Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was an Old Man with a Gong1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was an Old Person of Cassel1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward LearThere was an Old Person of Skye1905 · Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, Op. 42Margaret Ruthven LangEdward Lear
Sheet Music
Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 42
Margaret Ruthven Lang
1. There was a Young Lady of Lucca
2. There was an Old Person of Skye
3. There was an Old Man with a Gong
4. There was an Old Lady of France
5. There was an Old Man in a Tree
6. There was an Old Person of Cassel
2. There was an Old Person of Skye
3. There was an Old Man with a Gong
4. There was an Old Lady of France
5. There was an Old Man in a Tree
6. There was an Old Person of Cassel
More Nonsense Rhymes & Pictures, Op. 43
Margaret Ruthven Lang
1. There was a Young Lady of Parma
2. There was an Old Man with a Beard
2. There was an Old Man with a Beard