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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

After the Ball was written and composed by Charles K Harris in 1892. It was the first song to sell more than five million sheet music copies, and made Charles a millionaire.

It was sung by both male and female singers 'on the halls', but was made famous by the top music hall star Vesta Tilley. She was a beautiful singer who specialised in impersonating 'posh' men 'on stage', and in fact set men's fashions through her striking costumes. This, and its lovely lilting waltz chorus, made it a firm favourite which has lasted through the years to this day.

After the Ball
(Brief Introduction)

A little maiden climbed an old man's knee . .,
Begged for a story, "Do Uncle please . .,
Why are you single, why live alone . .,
Have you no babies, have you no home . .?"
I had a sweetheart years, years ago,
Where is she now pet, you will soon know,
List to the story, I'll tell it all,
I believed her faithless, after the ball.

After the ball is over,
After the break of morn,
After the dancers' leaving,
After the stars are gone,
Many a heart is aching
If you could read them all,
Many the hopes that have vanished,
After the ball.
(Brief Interlude)

Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom,
Softly the music, playing sweet tunes,
There came my sweetheart, my love, my own.
I wish some water; leave me alone.
When I returned dear, there stood a man,
Kissing my sweetheart as lovers can.
Down fell the glass pet, broken that's all,
Just as my heart was after the ball.

After the ball is over,
After the break of morn,
After the dancers' leaving,
After the stars are gone,
Many a heart is aching
If you could read them all,
Many the hopes that have vanished,
After the ball.
(Brief Interlude)

Long years have passed child, I've never wed,
True to my lost love, though she is dead,
She tried to tell me, tried to explain,
I would not listen, pleadings were vain.
One day a letter came from that man,
He was her brother the letter ran.
That's why I'm lonely, no home at all.
I broke her heart pet, after the ball.

After the ball is over,
After the break of morn,
After the dancers' leaving,
After the stars are gone,
Many a heart is aching
If you could read them all,
Many the hopes that have vanished,
After the ball.

And for our Music Hall finale: "Visitors, Attention!  Right Dress!  Present Arms! for the Soldiers of the Queen . . ."

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