Edgar Bateman (13 February 1860 – 17 August 1946) was an English lyricist of

music hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Bri ...

songs. He was born Edgar Davies, in

Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also , ) is a district in the West End of London, in the City of Westminster. Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, forms its southern boundary. An Civil parish#Ancient parishes, ancient parish and latterly a ...

, London, the son of Ann Davies who later married William Bateman. He worked as a printer's assistant, but became attracted to the

s and theatres, and by 1890 worked for a

music publisher A music publisher is a type of publisher that specializes in distributing music. Music publishers originally published sheet music. When copyright became legally protected, music publishers started to play a role in the management of the intellect ...

. In 1894, while sitting at home in

Clerkenwell Clerkenwell () is an area of central London, England. Clerkenwell was an ancient parish from the mediaeval period onwards, and now forms the south-western part of the London Borough of Islington. The well after which it was named was redisco ...

, he was admiring his view over London landmarks, noticing the growth of new housing development, and wrote the words to "If it Wasn’t for the 'Ouses in Between". With music by

George Le Brunn George Le Brunn (born George Frederick Brunn; 20 June 186318 December 1905) was an English composer of popular songs, active during the heyday of the music halls. Biography He was born in Brighton, Sussex, and was educated privately, studying ...

, the song became a great success for singer and comedian

Gus Elen Ernest Augustus Elen (22 July 1862 – 17 February 1940) was an English music hall singer and comedian. He achieved success from 1891, performing cockney songs including "Arf a Pint of Ale", "It's a Great Big Shame", "Down the Road" and "If It ...

, and has been described as "one of the best songs of the music hall, and a song worthy of a very high place in the popular tradition". Paul Morris, "Gus Elen", ''The English Music Hall''
Retrieved 20 November 2020 The following year, Bateman and Le Brunn wrote another successful song for Gus Elen, "It's a Great Big Shame".Richard Anthony Baker, ''British Music Hall: an illustrated history'', Pen & Sword, 2014, , pp.149-150 In 1897, Bateman started work for music publisher David Day, touring music halls and theatres to discover new performers and novel songs that he could publish. Bateman became noted for his ability to "drink beer by the gallon and still remain sober", while reporting back to Day on a daily basis. Bateman died in

Finchley Finchley () is a large district of north London, England, in the London Borough of Barnet. Finchley is on high ground, north of Charing Cross. Nearby districts include: Golders Green, Muswell Hill, Friern Barnet, Whetstone, Mill Hill and H ...

, London, in 1946, aged 86.

References

1860 births 1946 deaths English lyricists {{songwriter-stub