Junius Brown, the Tragedian
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JUNIUS BROWN THE TRAGEDIAN, or "NO MATTER!"
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 caused by envy -- that's flat
For I once was a heavy tragedian.
CHORUS:
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[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] I've been a bright star in my time, [/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] In me you may please to behold --[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Junius Brown the Tragedian.[/font][/font]
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You have all seen my name in the bills,
Which is Junius Antonius Brown, sirs;
And I flatter myself to have caused --
Great excitment in many a town, sirs;
My last 'shop' was the Garrick, Whitechapel;
In a 'part' that I could above any fit,
My 'screw' sirs, for only six nights
Was two pounds and a half a clear benefit.
SPOKEN: That was money, but what do they offer talent now! I was actually offered the other day twenty-five 'bob' per week to play Othello, the Clown in the Pantomime, and do bill-sticking in the mornings. Did I accept it? Blood and blue fire! Never! NEVER! but no matter, a time may come when they will be glad to secure the services of Brown the Tragedian.
CHORUS:
[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] I've been a bright star in my time, [/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] In me you may please to behold --[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Junius Brown the Tragedian.[/font][/font]
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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 Antony;
I can do the soft parts low and sweet,
Likewise I can 'pile up the agony.'
SPOKEN: For two consecutive weeks was I the leading attraction at the Royal Bower, and should have startled the world at Drury Lane; but for professional malice. I am kept off the boards out of fear. They know I should render Shakespeare's great characters as they have never been rendered before. My reading of his plays is entirely different to Macready, Kean, Phelps, T. C. King, and all those fellows, -- They know that, -- but no matter, a time may come when they will cringe to Brown the Tragedian.
CHORUS:
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[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] I've been a bright star in my time, [/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] In me you may please to behold --[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Junius Brown the Tragedian.[/font][/font]
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I search through the 'Era' each week
And I 'write in' when talent's required,
But they say they don't know me (there'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 artiste of wondrous ability.
SPOKEN: Me, ME! Junius Antonius Brown descend to do the cock in Hamlet, or Bobby in the Pantomime. Ye Gods and small fishes! Rather would I descend from my pedestal of fame and become a comic vocalist. But no matter! NO MATTER!! The time may come when they will be glad to pile gold at the feet of Brown the Tragedian.
CHORUS:
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[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] I've been a bright star in my time, [/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Though now I'm reduced to a seedy 'un;[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] In me you may please to behold --[/font][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helv,Helvetica][font=FixedSys,Courier New,Courier] Junius Brown the Tragedian.
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Brown the Tragedian (No Matter!) as sung with great success by Arthur Lloyd. Copyright July 3rd, 1870.