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"My Grandfather's Clock" is a song written in 1876 by
The song, told from a grandchild's point of view, is about his grandfather's clock.
The clock is purchased on the morning of the grandfather's birth and works perfectly for 90 years, requiring only that it be wound at the end of each week.
The clock seems to know the good and bad events in the grandfather's life; it rings 24 chimes when the grandfather brings his bride into his house, and near his death it rings an alarm, which the family recognizes to mean that the grandfather is near death and gathers by his bed. After the grandfather dies, the clock suddenly stops, and never works again.
"My Grandfather's Clock" is a song written in 1876 by Henry Clay Work
Henry Clay Work (October 1, 1832 – June 8, 1884) was an American composer and songwriter known for the songs Kingdom Coming, Marching Through Georgia, The Ship That Never Returned and My Grandfather's Clock.
Early life and education
Work was ...
, the author of "Marching Through Georgia
"Marching Through Georgia" (sometimes spelled as "Marching Thru' Georgia" or "Marching Thro Georgia") is a marching song written by Henry Clay Work at the end of the American Civil War in 1865. The title and lyrics of the song refer to U.S. Ar ...
". It is a standard of British brass band
In Britain, a brass band (known regionally as a silver band or colliery band) is a musical ensemble comprising a standardized range of brass and percussion instruments. The modern form of the brass band in the United Kingdom dates back to the 1 ...
s and colliery bands, and is also popular in bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music
The term American folk music encompasses numerous music genres, variously known as ''traditional music'', ''traditional folk music'', ''contemporary folk music'', ''vernacular music,'' or ...
. The ''Oxford English Dictionary
The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (''OED'') is the first and foundational historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press (OUP). It traces the historical development of the English language, providing a com ...
'' says the song was the origin of the term "grandfather clock
A grandfather clock (also a longcase clock, tall-case clock, grandfather's clock, or floor clock) is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are common ...
" for a longcase clock. In 1905, the earliest known recording of this song was performed by Harry Macdonough
John Scantlebury Macdonald (May 30, 1871 – September 26, 1931) was a Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most ...
and the Haydn Quartet (known then as the "Edison Quartet").
Storyline
The song, told from a grandchild's point of view, is about his grandfather's clock.
The clock is purchased on the morning of the grandfather's birth and works perfectly for 90 years, requiring only that it be wound at the end of each week.
The clock seems to know the good and bad events in the grandfather's life; it rings 24 chimes when the grandfather brings his bride into his house, and near his death it rings an alarm, which the family recognizes to mean that the grandfather is near death and gathers by his bed. After the grandfather dies, the clock suddenly stops, and never works again.
Sequel
Work published a sequel to the song two years after, and again the grandson acts as the narrator. The grandson laments the fate of the no-longer-functioning grandfather clock—it was sold to a junk dealer, who sold its parts for scrap and its case for kindling. In the grandfather's house, the clock was replaced by awall clock
A clock or a timepiece is a device used to Measurement, measure and indicate time. The clock is one of the oldest Invention, human inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units such as the day, t ...
, which the grandson disdains (referring to it as "that vain, stuck-up thing on the wall"). However, the sequel never reached the popularity of the original.
The song was covered and translated many times, versions in other languages may vary. For example, in the Czech version, sung by the country band Taxmeni, the song continues with an additional, joyful strophe, narrating further events in the grandson's life: the birth of his son and the purchase of a new clock on the same day, to maintain the family tradition.
Covers and inspirations
"My Grandfather's Clock" was often played in Britain on ''Children's Favourites
''Junior Choice'' is a BBC Radio programme originally broadcast from 1967 until 1982 with Christmas specials from 2007 until 2015 and again since 2017. Originally broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on Saturday mornings from 9.10 to 9.55 (later, ...
'' and during that period was recorded by the Radio Revellers. In the United States, a version, without the last stanza of lyrics, was on an extended-play
An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.
45 rpm record on the Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a fictional character created by List of Scottish novelists, Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and Puer aeternus, never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending ...
label (the other song on that side was "The Syncopated Clock
"The Syncopated Clock" is a piece of light music by American composer Leroy Anderson, which has become a feature of the pops orchestra repertoire.
Composition
Anderson wrote "The Syncopated Clock" in 1945 while serving with the U.S. Army and a ...
", and the flip side had " The Arkansas Traveler" and "Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North; it is part of both Canada and the United States. Forming the border between Minnesota and North Dakota when these territories were admitted ...
"). Evelyn Knight
Evelyn Dawn Knight (born 5 November 1942) is an English woman known for her involvement in the Abscam sting operation of the 1970s, with her ex-husband Mel Weinberg. A character inspired by her was portrayed on film by Amy Adams in '' American ...
recorded the song for Decca Records
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
in 1945. Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
covered the song on his 1959 album ''Songs of Our Soil
''Songs of Our Soil'' is the sixth studio album by American singer Johnny Cash. It was originally released on July 6, 1959, and later re-issued on August 27, 2002 with two additional bonus tracks.
The major theme throughout this album is death. ...
'', as did Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991), known professionally as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American singer and television host who enjoyed success in the country and western, pop, and gospel musical genres. Noted for ...
on ''Gather 'Round'' the same year. Also in 1959, it was included on The Four Lads
The Four Lads was a Canadian male singing quartet which, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, earned many gold singles and albums. Its million-selling signature tunes include "Moments to Remember"; " Standing on the Corner"; "No, Not Much"; "Who Needs ...
' album, ''Swing Along
''Swing Along'' is an LP album by The Four Lads, released by Columbia Records as catalog number CS 8106 in 1959.
Track listing
The album was reissued, combined with the 1960 Four Lads album ''Everything Goes!!!,'' in compact disc format, by C ...
.'' Other versions became popular in other countries; it is well known to many generations in Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
, with a cover by singer Ken Hirai
is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and brand ambassador.
During his career, Hirai has released 45 singles and nine studio albums as of January 2019.Swing Low'',
My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy.
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door,
With a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time, and had but one desire —
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place — not a frown upon its face,
And its hands never hung by its side.
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. It rang an alarm in the dead of the night —
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight —
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died.
Score
1905 recording from the Internet Archive
* * {{authority control 1876 songs Songs written by Henry Clay Work Longcase clocks
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer and songwriter. Considered to be a pioneer and one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred ...
did a rendition of the song.
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...
included the song in a medley on his album '' 101 Gang Songs'' (1961).
The song was the inspiration for the 1963 '' Twilight Zone'' episode "Ninety Years Without Slumbering
"Ninety Years Without Slumbering" is episode 132 of the American television anthology series ''The Twilight Zone''. The title comes from the lyrics of the song "My Grandfather's Clock", which is sung or played throughout the episode as a recurring ...
".
The Big 3 recorded the song in their album ''Live at the Recording Studio'' in 1964
A popular clock toy, marketed by Fisher-Price
Fisher-Price is an American company that produces educational toys for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, headquartered in East Aurora, New York, East Aurora, New York (state), New York. The company was founded in 1930 during the Great Depressio ...
from 1962 to 1968, had a dial on it that, when turned, caused the music box
A music box (American English) or musical box (British English) is an automatic musical instrument in a box that produces musical notes by using a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc to pluck the tuned teeth (or ''lamellae'') ...
mechanism in the toy to play the song along with clock-like ticking and moving hands on the face of the clock. An updated version of the toy (which is completely made of plastic and with other activities like a clicking plastic mouse on the side) has been manufactured by Fisher-Price since 1994. Imitations of the toy made by various companies exist and are sold in various countries worldwide.
Jon Pertwee
John Devon Roland "Jon" Pertwee (; 7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996) was an English actor, comedian, entertainer, cabaret performer and TV presenter. Born into a theatrical family, he served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during ...
recorded a version in 1966 for the children's album ''Children's Favourites'', on the Music for Pleasure record label.
John Fahey recorded a solo guitar version on his 1967 album ''Days Have Gone By
''Days Have Gone By'' is an album by American fingerstyle guitarist and composer John Fahey, released in 1967. The cover labels the album ''Volume 6'' while it was preceded in 1966 by ''The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party'' which is labeled '' ...
''.
Joan Morris
Joan Morris (born February 10, 1943) is an American mezzo-sopranoProfile
, bolcomandmorris. ...
recorded it in 1975, on ''Who Shall Rule This American Nation (Nonesuch)'', an album of songs by Work.
In 1983, , bolcomandmorris. ...
Fred Penner
Frederick Ralph Cornelius Penner (born November 6, 1946) is a Canadian children's entertainer and musician known for the song "The Cat Came Back" and his television series, '' Fred Penner's Place'', which aired on CBC in Canada from 1985 to 199 ...
, a Canadian children's entertainer, covered "My Grandfather's Clock" on the LP album ''Special Delivery'', which was later rereleased as ''Ebenezer Sneezer'' on CD in 1994.
A version of the song was recorded by Red Grammer
Robert Crane "Red" Grammer (born November 28, 1952) is an American singer and songwriter.
Life and career
The East Orange, New Jersey native started college as a pre-med student at Rutgers, but he transferred to Beloit College in Wisconsin, whe ...
on his 1994 family music recording, ''Down The Do Re Mi''.
It was parodied as "My Grandfather's Grunge" by the Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was an English actor of Welsh heritage. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 Car ...
character Rambling Syd Rumpo
Rambling Syd Rumpo was a folk singer character, played by the English comedian and actor Kenneth Williams, originally in the 1960s BBC Radio comedy series ''Round the Horne''.
History
The Rambling Syd sketches generally began with a short discours ...
on the BBC radio show ''Round the Horne
''Round the Horne'' is a BBC Radio comedy programme starring Kenneth Horne, first transmitted in four series of weekly episodes from 1965 until 1968. The show was created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, who wrote the first three series. The fo ...
''.
It was among the popular folk songs parodied by Allan Sherman
Allan may refer to:
People
* Allan (name), a given name and surname, including list of people and characters with this name
* Allan (footballer, born 1984) (Allan Barreto da Silva), Brazilian football striker
* Allan (footballer, born 1989) (Al ...
in his medley song, "Shticks and Stones (Shticks of One, Half a Dozen of the Other)."
Garrison Keillor
Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor (; born August 7, 1942) is an American author, singer, humorist, voice actor, and radio personality. He created the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) show ''A Prairie Home Companion'' (called ''Garrison Keillor's Radio ...
and the cast of the radio show ''A Prairie Home Companion
''A Prairie Home Companion'' is a weekly radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor that aired live from 1974 to 2016. In 2016, musician Chris Thile took over as host, and the successor show was eventually renamed ''Live from He ...
'' recorded a parody titled "My Grandmother's Cat," telling the story of an old woman who overfed her cat until it was big enough to knock her down and try to eat her.
The melody was used in the track "I'm Not Edible" from the soundtrack of the 2000 game ''American McGee's Alice
''American McGee's Alice'' is a 2000 third-person action-adventure video game developed by Rogue Entertainment under the direction of designer American McGee and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Games banner. The game was originally re ...
'', composed by Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN and stylized as NIИ, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Trent Reznor was the only permanent member of the band ...
drummer Chris Vrenna
Chris Vrenna (born February 23, 1967 in Erie, Pennsylvania) is an American musician, producer, engineer, remixer, songwriter, programmer, and founder of the electronic band Tweaker. Vrenna played drums for the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails ...
.
The opening lines of the song are parodied in the song "Joy Division Oven Gloves" by English indie rock band Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit are an English rock band, formed in 1984 in Birkenhead, Merseyside. Known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, the band comprises lead singer and guitarist Nigel Blackwell, bassist and singer Neil Cr ...
on their album Achtung Bono
''Achtung Bono'' is the tenth album by UK indie rock band Half Man Half Biscuit, released in 2005.
In 2010, a Facebook campaign was mounted with the aim of saving BBC 6 Music from threatened closure and, as a sign of protest, to get "Joy Div ...
.
"My Grandfather's Clock" is a playable song in the 2008 video game ''Wii Music
''Wii Music'' is a music video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. The game was released in Japan and North America in October 2008, and in Europe and Australia in the following month. ''Wii Music'' is part o ...
''.
This song was also used in the game, ''Five Nights at Freddy's 2
''Five Nights at Freddy's 2'' is a survival horror video game developed and published by Scott Cawthon. It is the second installment in the ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' series, and a prequel to the first game. Like its predecessor, the game takes ...
'', made by Scott Cawthon
Scott Braden Cawthon (born June 4, 1978) is an American former video game developer and writer. He came to prominence as the creator of the ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' media franchise, which began with the development of the eponymous surviva ...
, which was released on 10 November 2014. The chorus of the song plays whenever a music box
A music box (American English) or musical box (British English) is an automatic musical instrument in a box that produces musical notes by using a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc to pluck the tuned teeth (or ''lamellae'') ...
is wound up to keep one animatronic character away; whereas, the other antagonists are unaffected by it.
The song serves as a leitmotif
A leitmotif or leitmotiv () is a "short, recurring musical phrase" associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical concepts of ''idée fixe'' or ''motto-theme''. The spelling ''leitmotif'' is an anglici ...
in the 2019 Korean television series ''Hotel del Luna
''Hotel del Luna'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series, starring Lee Ji-eun and Yeo Jin-goo as the owner and manager, respectively, of the eponymous hotel that caters only to ghosts. Produced by GT:st, written by the Hong sisters and di ...
''.
It was also sung by Maple and Cinnamon in the third volume of ''Nekopara
, taglined ''Cats Paradise'', is a series of adult visual novels developed by NEKO WORKs and published by Sekai Project. The first game in the series, ''Nekopara Vol. 1'', was released in December 2014. Taking place in a world where humans ...
'' visual novel series.
The song is included in most Casio
is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturing corporation headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Its products include calculators, mobile phones, digital cameras, electronic musical instruments, and analogue and digital watches. It ...
electronic keyboard
An electronic keyboard, portable keyboard, or digital keyboard is an electronic musical instrument, an electronic derivative of keyboard instruments. Electronic keyboards include synthesizers, digital pianos, stage pianos, electronic organs an ...
s.
Original Lyrics
My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy.
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door,
With a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time, and had but one desire —
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place — not a frown upon its face,
And its hands never hung by its side.
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died. It rang an alarm in the dead of the night —
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight —
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. :Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tick, tick, tick), :It stopp'd short — never to go again — :When the old man died.
References
*Zecher, Henry (October 2005). "How an old floor clock became a grandfather". The Pride of Olney (Lion's Club of Olney, Maryland) 30 (76). Retrieved 12 August 2013. on Henry Zecher's personal websiteExternal links
Score
1905 recording from the Internet Archive
* * {{authority control 1876 songs Songs written by Henry Clay Work Longcase clocks