When My Ships Come Sailing Home
| "When My Ships Come Sailing Home" | |
|---|---|
Original sheet music cover for the A-flat version
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| Song by John McCormack | |
| Published | 1913 |
| Released | 1915 |
| Recorded | March 29, 1915 |
| Label | Victor Red Seal |
| Composer(s) | Francis Dorel |
| Lyricist(s) | Reginald Stewart |
"When My Ships Come Sailing Home" is an American song composed by Francis Dorel and lyrics by Reginald Stewart. The sheet music for the song was distributed as early as 1913 by Boosey & Co, one of the forerunners of the Boosey & Hawkes publishing firm.
The song was recorded by John McCormack representing the Victor label on March 29, 1915. The song failed to peak on American charts during that year.
In my dreams, fairy dreams
When the shadows begin to fall
Oh come to me, come to me
For the night breathes a spell overall
In my dreams, fairy dreams,
Through the garden of love we shall roam
And life shall be fill'd with fairest roses
When e'er my ships come sailing home.
Oh, the ships of my dreams are returning,
My love, my love,
And the bright star of hope is burning,
Up above, up above
For your kiss of desire I am yearning,
Sweet heart, dear heart,
Stars shine from the skies,
There's love in your eyes
When my ships come sailing home.
O'er the sea, Fair and free,
Safe at anchor I see them ride:
They shall stay, all the day,
While the breeze croons a song to the tide
They have brought, all I sought,
All the treasure I need, rich and rare,
And love is that treasure they are bringing
For me and you my lady fair!
Oh, the ships of my dreams are returning,
My love, my love,
And the bright star of hope is burning,
Up above, up above
For your kiss of desire I am yearning,
Sweet heart, dear heart,
Stars shine from the skies,
There's love in your eyes
When my ships come sailing home.
The original sheet music is scored for vocals and piano. According to the sheet music, one is supposed the play the song "Slowly and Evenly". The composer attempts to emphasize this fact with note telling the player that certain parts are meant to be played "dreamily". The time signature of the piece is set as common time, or 4:4. It was produced and distributed by Boosey & Co. in 1913, with a stipulation along the bottom of the cover stating that "This song may be sung in public without fee or license. The public performance of any parodied version, however, is strictly prohibited". Four versions of sheet music were distributed; the first version was in the key of "F", the second in the key of "C", the third version in the key of "A flat", and the fourth version in the key of "B flat". One would be able to differentiate the different versions by looking at the top of the sheet music cover. The four version would be pictured side by side, and the one that was enclosed would have a line underneath it.
The song was first recorded by John McCormack for the Victor "Red Seal" record label on March 29, 1915. The recording was made in Camden, New Jersey, with the second take of the second take of the song was kept as the master copy for distribution. McCormack's recording did not place in American charts that year. The Victor matrix number of his recording is kept as "C-15839". Various copies of McCormack's recording are available on YouTube.
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